Press Release - London Marathon - 1/14/20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

      Geremew and Wasihun to challenge Kipchoge again at 2020 race

Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun, the Ethiopian duo who pushed the 
legendary Eliud Kipchoge to the limit at the 2019 Virgin Money London 
Marathon, have confirmed they will return to the race in 2020.

With Kipchoge already confirmed, it means all three podium finishers from 
last year will be back for the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 
26 April.

Geremew, 27, ran the fifth fastest time in history of 2:02:55 to take 
second place behind Kipchoge in last year's race and then had to settle for 
second again in his next marathon, the 2019 World Championships in Doha 
last October.

Wasihun's time in finishing third at last year's Virgin Money London 
Marathon (2:03:16) was the 11th fastest marathon the world has ever seen.

Third place last year, Mule Wasihun is back for 2020. (Tweet)

Shura Kitata, who was fourth last year and second in 2018, has also been 
confirmed, ensuring that it looks likely to be a year when it is the 
Ethiopians who will be the biggest threat to Kipchoge winning an historic 
fifth London Marathon title.

Spencer Barden, Head of Elite Athletes, said: "Last year's Virgin Money 
London Marathon elite men's race was one of the best races we have seen for 
many years. Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun pushed Eliud Kipchoge as hard 
as I have ever seen but ultimately could not hang on to the great man in 
the final two miles. But they will have taken confidence from last year and 
will come back this time round looking to cause a real shock."

Kipchoge, who made history by becoming the first human to run a sub-two 
hour marathon at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, is looking to become the most 
successful able-bodied athlete in London Marathon history by winning a 
fifth title in 2020.

The Virgin Money London Marathon will be the fifth race in the Abbott World 
Marathon Majors Series XIII schedule. With three races already completed 
(the 2019 World Championships, 2019 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and 
2019 TCS New York City Marathon), the lead is shared by Lelisa Desisa 
(ETH), Lawrence Cherono (KEN) and Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN). Geremew is in 
tied fourth place after his second-placed finish at the World 
Championships.

     - Abbott World Marathon Majors leaderboard

The other races in the series are this year's Tokyo Marathon, Boston 
Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, Olympic Marathon and BMW Berlin Marathon 
before the series concludes at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

The Virgin Money London Marathon elite wheelchair fields will be announced 
tomorrow (Wednesday 15 January) and the complete fields announced on Friday 
(17 January).

NAME                COUNTRY     PB
Eliud Kipchoge      Kenya       2:01.39
Mosinet Geremew     Ethiopia    2:02.55
Mule Wasihun        Ethiopia    2:03.16
Tamirat Tola        Ethiopia    2:04.06
Marius Kipserem     Kenya       2:04.11
Shura Kitata        Ethiopia    2:04.49
Vincent Kipchumba   Kenya       2:05.09
Sondre Moen         Norway      2:05.48
Gideon Kipketer     Kenya       2:05.51
Yassine Rachik      Italy       2:08.05
Jack Rayner         Australia   2:11.06

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