Yalemzerf Yehualaw Became Youngest Athlete To Win London Marathon, It Is Biggest Win Of her Career.

The 23-year-old athlete Yalemzerf Yehualaw became the youngest woman to triumph in women’s elite race in the London Marathon. Her victory was all dramatic and extraordinary. During the run she suffered from a faceplant. Yehualaw recovered from a fall around 32km to claim a incredible victory, recording a stunning time of 2:17:26.

The Ethiopian athlete endured a faceplant on a sleeping policeman speed bump with six miles to go. It caused her substantial soreness on her hip, hand, and knee, due to which she was at least 25 meters behind the leading pack. However, Yehualaw did not give up, and added full force to run faster and destroy her rivals. She successfully left behind her co-runners and won the marathon within 2hr 17min 26sec. In the history of the women’s race, it was the third fastest time, only behind Paula Radcliffe and Mary Keitany.

Yehualaw commenting on her faceplant, said that she was heading to a water station and did not see the bump coming. It was painful, and for couldn't feel her hip. Yehualaw's knee and hand too went numb for some time.

With two miles remaining, the race was a shootout between Yehualaw and last year’s champion Joyciline Jepkosgei. At the 24th mile, the Ethiopian ran like a maniac in an exceptional 4min 43sec to assert victory by 41sec.

London Marathon Winner Yalemzerf Yehualaw

Yehualaw plans a return to London in April to defend her title as per a report. She added, "It is my first time in London, so I am so happy to win. People were shouting a lot, and it inspired me. My longer plan is to break the world record next time." Yehualaw runs 180km to 195km a week during training. 

Yehualaw has many records to her hat. She is the second fastest half marathoner in history and the world 10km record holder. She also became the fastest marathon debutant to win the Hamburg Marathon in a spectacular time of 2:17:23 in April this year. It elevated Yehualaw to seventh on the all-time lists.

Joyce Jepkosgei of Keny Came second in a time of 2:28:07, while Ethiopian Alemu Mergetu grabbed third place in 2:18:32. Among men, Amos Kipruto won on his London debut with 2:04.39. Leul Gebresilase came second (2:05:12), and Belgian athlete Bashir Abdi came third.

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