Ethiopian road race runner Yalemzerf Yehualaw ran one of the greatest marathons in women’s history to bag the 2022 TSC London Marathon title on Sunday, October 2, 2022.
The 23-year-old ran a well calculated race to cross the finishing line in 2:17.26, in the process ending Kenya’s women’s dominance in the annual competition - no other nation has won more London Marathons than Kenya, particularly in the last 10 editions.
Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei settled for second in 2:18.06 ahead of compatriot Judith Korir who finished fourth
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Korir's participation was confirmed at the eleventh hour after the withdrawal of reigning world record holder Brigid Jepkosgei due to a hip injury.
Yehualaw started the race strongly, running toe to toe with the leading pack that had the likes of compatriot Ashete Bekere and Kenya's Judith Korir.
The front runners crossed the 10km mark in 32.18, one of the fastest times ever witnessed in the history of the event.
At the 25km mark, Yehualaw took control of the race with compatriot Sutume Asefa Kebede and Joyciline closely following behind.
With a few miles to go to the end of the highly contested race, Yalemzerf turned on the screw and never looked back.
Yehualaw was the favorite going into the race since she had the best personal best of all the runners who graced this year’s edition.
The 2022 World Half Marathon bronze medalist had a personal best of 2:17.23 which she set at the Hamburg Marathon earlier this year.
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