Kenya’s Mary Keitany has won the London Marathon for a third time with victory this morning.PHOTO/DM
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 23 – President Uhuru Kenyatta led a jubilant nation in saluting Mary Keitany and Daniel Wanjiru after they powered to the Kenyan double at the 2017 Virgin London marathon titles on Sunday.
Keitany, who claimed a third women’s title in London to match her trio of New York victories, set the fastest time in 2hr 17min 01sec, smashing the 14-year-old mark of British great Paula Radcliffe.
Earlier Wanjiru, 24, kept Kenenisa Bekele at bay despite a late rally from the Ethiopian legend and race favourite.
“I congratulate Mary Keitany for her London marathon win and for breaking the women’s only marathon world record. You have made Kenya proud,” Kenyatta said on twitter.
“Proud of Daniel Wanjiru in the London marathon men’s win. A great win for Kenya.”
I congratulate Mary Keitany for her #LondonMarathon win and for breaking the women-only marathon World Record! You have made Kenya proud 🇰🇪
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) April 23, 2017
Proud of Daniel Wanjiru’s #LondonMarathon men’s elite race win. A great win for Kenya 🇰🇪
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) April 23, 2017
Deputy President William Ruto also joined Kenyans in celebrating the two stars who ensured the country continue her dominance in the race.
Brilliant performance by Mary Keitany to set a women-only world record on her way to winning her third London Marathon. #LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/l7lDbUrgeZ
— William Samoei Ruto (@WilliamsRuto) April 23, 2017
Here are other congratulatory messages;
Congratulations Daniel Wanjiru for winning the #LondonMarathon #TeamKenya does it again! Good job! #Proud #TheScoreKE
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) April 23, 2017
Kenyans are on another level when it comes to the #LondonMarathon. Brilliant record over the years. pic.twitter.com/7WgZ38pZGK
— Kenyan Facts 🇰🇪 (@KResearcher) April 23, 2017
#MaryKeitany wins #LondonMarathon in 2.17.01. Brave brilliant running by Keitany. She come so close to Radcliffe’s world record of 2.15.25.
— Warothe Kiru (@warothe) April 23, 2017
#MaryKeitany 2:17:00* Astonishing! Congratulations!!
— Mutwiri Mutuota (@MutwiriMutuota) April 23, 2017
2.17.00 for Mary Keitany ! WR women only race. Tirunesh Dibaba 2nd in new NR of 2.17.57 ! #VirginLondonMarathon2017 #londonmarathon2017 pic.twitter.com/QWdQO64CiP
— Lornah Kiplagat (@lornahkiplagat) April 23, 2017
Mary shows the impossible is possible! Greatjob Mary! Solo effort from 20k ?? So proud of mama Samantha! 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
— Betsy Saina (@bcsaina) April 23, 2017
Kenyan Youth and Gender affairs minister Sicily Kariuki praised Keitany’s victory as representing “the true spirit of a Kenyan woman – determined and focused, God-fearing and true to her mother nation, Kenya.
“Keitany is a mother of two, which makes her achievements even more remarkable; she has proved that Kenyan women were resilient and world beaters.”
