Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Sisay Lemma emerged winners of the women’s and men’s race respectively, at the 2021 edition of London Marathon held on October 3, 2021.

Jepkosgei, 28, finished the race in a personal best timing of two hours, 17 minutes and 43 seconds. She warded off competition including from the race favorite Brigid Kosgei, to storm to victory.

Kosgei, the world record holder at 2:14:04 set at Chicago Marathon in 2019, had to settle for the fourth position.

In the women’s race, Degitu Azimeraw of Ethiopia finished second with a timing of 2:17:58. In third position was Ashete Bekere also of Ethiopia with a finishing time of 2:18:18.

In the men’s race, Lemma crossed the finish line in 2:04:01. He was followed by Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba (2:04:28) in second position and Mosinet Geremew (2:04:41) of Ethiopia in third position.

Defending champion Shura Kitata of Ethiopia finished in sixth position.

As reported by BBC, an estimated 80,000 persons took part in the 2021 London Marathon in person and via an app. More than 40,000 people participated in the physical race. “ It is 889 days since the colourful charity spectacular in front of cheering crowds last took place. A number of changes were in force this year to try to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus. Those running in central London had to show a negative lateral flow test for Covid-19,” the report said.

(The author, Latha Venkatraman, is an independent journalist based in Mumbai.)