Sifan Hassan clinches remarkable victory in TCS London Marathon debut

Sifan Hassan wins her first marathon title at the TCS London Marathon 2023.

Sifan Hassan clinches remarkable victory in TCS London Marathon debut

Credits: The Independent

Sifan Hassan, an Olympic track and field champion, has made headlines in her debut run at the 2023 London Marathon. The Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete clinched a remarkable victory in the marathon, despite falling off pace at the 15-mile mark.

Hassan is an Olympic gold medalist, winning medals in the 5000m and 10,000m categories. From what seemed like a cramp during the 15-mile mark, Hassan quickly recovered and worked ahead toward the lead group, headed by Olympian Peres Jepchirchir.

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Hassan crossed the finish line in 2:18:34, which marks a new Dutch national record. Behind her followed Ethiopian athlete Alemu Megertu, who finished third in last year’s marathon, finishing 2:18:37. Peres Jepchirchir, the former winner of the New York City Marathon 2021 and Boston Marathon 2022, settled for third after clocking 2:18:38.

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Related: Why Eliud Kipchoge failed to maintain his form at the 2023 Boston Marathon?

Sifan Hassan wins TCS London Marathon 2023 in her debut appearance

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Credits: Running Magazine Canada

Even though this was the first time Sifan Hassan had been in a marathon, she never seemed to be succumbing to the pressure. Hassan might have faced a few hiccups running in this marathon. However, she proved that she had got in her spirits to win the prestigious London Marathon.

Hassan has also indicated that after recovering from this marathon, she will be next preparing for shorter races at the World Athletics Championship in Hungary, scheduled this year. Hassan was seen adapting a brilliant strategy on track in the marathon, one of the main reasons behind this incredible result.

In the first 5km, she was in the 10th position, running relatively leisurely at 3:08 per km. By the halfway point, she had only moved one place ahead. At the 30km mark, Hassan was still in seventh position, just a few positions off the leading pack led by Jepchirchir. However, she gave herself a final push in the last 500 meters of the race, which saw her surging down the Mall to clinch the win.

Hassan says of this achievement, “I had some problems with my hip, and I have been taping (it), but I forgot today, and it locked up around 20 km. I couldn’t believe it…I had no thoughts of winning. I didn’t practice how to drink. I had a whole month of Ramadan…I have no words…I feel like an Olympic champion. To win in London-it’s amazing.”

Sifan Hassan has confirmed that she will be returning for the world championships, as well as take part in other marathons in the United States, possibly in Chicago or New York, as soon as this fall.

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