London Marathon: Susan Partridge Moscow hopes rise

Susan Partridge and Derek Hawkins are both set to be named in Great Britain’s provisional team for this summer’s world championships in Moscow after finishing as the leading Britons in the London Marathon yesterday.
Runners set off at the start line of the London Marathon. Picture: PARunners set off at the start line of the London Marathon. Picture: PA
Runners set off at the start line of the London Marathon. Picture: PA

The 33-year-old Partridge maintained her brilliant form in 2013 by remaining in touch with the leading pack for several miles and although a strong African contingent, led by eventual winner Priscah Jeptoo pulled away, the Scot maintained a steady pursuit of her target of two hours and 30 minutes.

That fight was lost as she crossed the line in ninth place in 2:30:46.

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However, it was still over three minutes quicker than her previous best and good enough for fifth in the Scottish all-time rankings, earning her a trip to Moscow in August.

“After being the top British woman and inside the standard so the only question would be if I wanted to go – and I do,” said Leeds-based Partridge, who also secured the 2014 Commonwealth Games standard.

“Mind you, it does mean that I need to run the marathon again and August does feel quite soon. I didn’t realise how close I was to 2:31 as I was finishing because the pace had been so fast earlier on.

“I was on for sub 2:30 for a long time which would have been nice but I am still delighted with my time. It is a big personal best, it sets me up for the World Championships again.”

Hawkins was 13th in the men’s race, almost 11 minutes adrift of Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebede, but the 23-year-old was far from satisfied. The Kilbarchan athlete earned the world standard in his marathon debut in Frankfurt last year and although his time of 2:16:50 was a Commonwealth qualifier, he sensed a chance lost.

“I felt fine on the start line and my preparation was good but I just didn’t feel comfortable during the race,” he said. “I don’t know what it was, I just didn’t feel comfortable.

“I’m disappointed not to get the A standard today and I don’t know what the selectors are going to do.”

There was also an outstanding showing from Hayley Haining, 41 years young, who is in the line to become Scotland’s oldest-ever athlete at a Commonwealth Games.

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The Great Britain international, a one-time world bronze medallist, came 96th overall in 2:36:52 to secure the standard for Glasgow next summer where she might yet have one glorious hurrah.

Less than a year after missing out on a place at London 2012, Kebede showed the Ethiopian selectors what they had been missing as he timed his finish to perfection to win.

The 26-year-old was 49 seconds adrift in fifth place at the 35km mark, his chances of success seemingly fading fast, but he chased down runaway leader Emmanuel Mutai, passing the Kenyan in the final mile.

He came home in two hours, six minutes and four seconds.

In crisp, clear conditions, the tiring Mutai, who hit the front between the 36 and 37km marks, hung on for second place, 29 seconds back, with Kebede’s fellow Ethiopian Ayele Abshero in third.

It was Kebede’s second victory in London after winning in 2010 and he said: “I had a little pain in my side during the early part of the race, but as time went on it got better and better.

“I could feel myself getting closer and closer to Mutai and that made me stronger.

“It was a great day to run the London Marathon and even better to win.”

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Jeptoo went one better than her London 2012 silver with victory.

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The 28-year-old clocked 2hrs 20mins 15secs to win the race very comfortably ahead of her fellow countrywoman Edna Kiplagat.

She said: “I knew this morning I was going to run well, but there was such a good field you were worried someone would do better.

“It wasn’t until around 25 miles that I got that confidence back and felt I would win.”

Japan’s Yikiko Akaby was a surprise third, with Olympic champion Tiki Gelana paying the price for a nasty fall.

The Ethiopian collided with wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy after 15 kilometres and fell to the road as she cut inside to get to a drinks station and that cost her later in the race.

Jeptoo’s time was the fastest in the world this year.

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