Shobukhova Vaults into First Place of World Marathon Majors Series 2009/2010
London, April 25, 2010 – Liliya Shobukhova of Russia vaulted into first place of the World Marathon Majors Series women’s leader board past two-time WMM Series winner and two-time London Champion Irina Mikitenko of Germany with a nearly wire to wire win at the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday.
The WMM Series men’s and women’s champions will each collect $500,000.
The men’s crown went to Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede, 23, who broke from the pack around the 20-mile mark and narrowly missed posting a course record with a winning time of 2 hours 5 minutes and 19 seconds. Kebede, who was second here last year, pulled even with Olympic Champion and last year’s London winner Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya at the top of the WMM leader board with 50 points.
Wanjirui dropped out of the race.
Kenya Emmanuel Mutai was second in 2:06:23 and jumped into a second place tie with Boston champion Deriba Merga of Ethiopia with 35 points. One of the most consistent top performers on the WMM series, Jaouad Gharib of Morocco finished third and also moved up the leader board into fifth place and striking distance of the Series title.
Shobukhova, 32, the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Champion, dropped her competition in the closing miles to win in a career best of 2:22:00. She is the first Russian winner in London. Her compatriot Inga Abitova was second, 19 seconds back, moving into the top 10 of the WMM Series leader board. Shobukhova has now 60 points. Aselefech of Megia of Ethiopia was third in 2:22:38.
An injured Mikitenko dropped out of the race.
After a break through the summer, WMM Series action will resume and heat up again with the real,- Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 26, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 10 and will conclude with the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 7.
Standings, breaking news and further information about the World Marathon may be found at www.worldmarathonmajors.com.
At present, the World Marathon Majors standings are as follows:
Men
1. Samuel Wanjiru Kenya 50 points
1. Tesgaye Kebede Ethiopia 50 points
3. Deriba Mega Ethiopia 35 points
3. Emmanuel Mutai Kenya 35 points
5. Jaouad Gharib Morocco 30 points
Women
1. Liliya Shobukhova Russia 60 points
2. Irina Mikitenko Germany 40 points
3. Salina Kosegi Kenya 36 points
4. Teyba Erkesso Ethiopia 30 points
5. Deratu Tulu Ethiopia 25 points
5. Atsede Habtamu Ethiopia 25 points
5. Xue Bai China 25 points