Kenyan beats Jakob Kiplimo on Sunday in 2:02:27 as Mahamed Mahamed is first Brit home in 2:08:52 in a sun-drenched British capital
With a devastating surge after 31km, Sabastian Sawe sliced through the opposition to surge clear to a decisive men’s victory in the TCS London Marathon on Sunday (April 27) in 2:02:27.
A power-packed field had no answer when he made his break. One by one, they peeled off and saw their chances of winning disappear. They included four-time winner Eliud Kipchoge, world half-marathon record-holder Jacob Kiplimo, defending champion Alex Mutiso and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola. This was Sawe’s day and he proved unstoppable.
The 29-year-old was already controlling the pace at the front but then took advantage of his rivals slowing through a drinks station. Deciding not to take a drink himself, he burst clear and within seconds had a clear gap which he continued to extend, eventually winning his first World Marathon Major title by 70 seconds.
Kiplimo finished runner-up with a big smile on his face on his debut in 2:03:36. Mutiso lost his crown as reigning champion but the Kenyan put on a tremendous sprint with Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands in a battle for third place, both men clocking 2:04:20 as Mutiso got the narrow verdict for a podium place.
