Contested annually since 1981, the London Marathon is one of the five World Marathon Majors series, established in 2006, which includes the Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City Marathons. The London Marathon has witnessed several of history fastest marathons, including a world record of 2:05:38, by Khalid Khannouchi, of the United States, in 2002. Following is a review of the men’s ten fastest winning times.
2009: 2:05:10 – Samuel Wanjiru, (Kenya)
Born November 10, 1986, Nyahururu, Kenya, Samuel Wanjiru holds the fastest winning time in the London Marathon. In 2009, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist clocked 2:05:10, clipping five seconds off the course established by countryman Martin Lel in 2008.2008: 2:05:15 – Martin Lel (Kenya)
Born October 29, 1978, Kabirisang, Kenya, Martin Lel posted the second fastest winning time in 2008. His victory that year marked his third London Marathon triumph. Later that year he finished fifth in the marathon at the Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
2010: 2:05:18 – Tsegaye Kebede (Ethiopia)
Born January 15, 1987, in Ethiopia,Tsegaye Kebede posted the third fastest winning time in 2010. Runner-up in the 2009, Kebede won the bronze medal in the marathon at the IAAF World Track and Field Championships later that year, which he added to the bronze medal won in the marathon at the Olympic Games in 2008.
2002: 2:05:38 – Khalid Khannouchi (United States)
Born December 22, 1971, Meknés, Morocco, Khalid Khannouchi, who became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2000, clocked 2:05:38 for the fourth fastest winning time. At that time, his performance ranked as the world record for 26.2 miles.
2004: 2:06:18 – Evans Rutto, Kenya
Born April 8, 1978, Marakwet District, Kenya, Evans Rutto holds the fifth fastest winning time.
2000: 2:06:36 – António Pinto, (Portugal)
Born March 22, 1966, Vila Garcia, Portugal, António Pinto holds the sixth fastest winning time. His time stood as the course record until Khannouchi clocked 2:05:38 in 2002, and came in his third London Marathon victory.
2006: 2:06:39 – Felix Limo, (Kenya)
Born August 22, 1980, Kenya, Felix Limo holds the seventh fastest winning time.
2001: 2:07:09 – Abdelkader El Mouaziz, (Morocco)
Born January 1, 1969, Abdelkader El Mouaziz holds the eighth fastest winning time, which came in his second London Marathon victory.
2005: 2:07:35 – Martin Lel (Kenya)
Lel posted the ninth fastest winning time in winning his first of three London Marathons.
2007: 2:07:41 – Martin Lel (Kenya)
Lel posted the tenth fastest winning time in winning his second of three London Marathons.
References:
History of the London Marathon: Race Results and Reports, Virgin London Marathon Website
Ottavio Castellini, Abdelkader El Mouaziz, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Tsegaye Kebede, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, António Pinto, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Evans Rutto, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Felix Limo, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Khalid Khannouchi, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Martin Lel, IAAF Website
Ottavio Castellini, Samuel Wanjiru, IAAF Website
Sports Reference, LLC, Tsegaye Kebede, SR/Olympic Sports
Sports Reference, LLC, António Pinto, SR/Olympic Sports
Sports Reference, LLC, Samuel Wanjiru, SR/Olympic Sports
World Marathon Majors Website
