Martin Lel
KENYA
BIRTHDATE:
October 29, 1978
PERSONAL BEST:
2:06:41 (London, 2006)
CAREER NOTES:
Lel ran his first marathons in 2002, when he did not finish at Prague and was second at Venice in 2:10:02. He gave early notice of a breakthrough in 2003 when he won the Lisbon Half Marathon in 60:10 and had two additional wins at the distance at Virginia Beach and in a sprint finish at the World Championships in Vilamoura in October. A month later he won the New York Marathon.
Exclusively a road runner, he broke the hour barrier with 59:51 for second in 2004 and with 59:42 for fourth in 2005 in the Lisbon half marathon. Six weeks later he took three minutes off his marathon best with a 2:07:26 win in London making his break just after 23 miles.
In 2006 Lel battled Felix Limo through the London course to muscle out a 2:06:41 personal best, but could not shut down Limo who sprinted ahead in the final 200 meters to win by two seconds.
PERSONAL NOTES:
Lel is coached by Dr. Gabriele Rosa.
HIGHLIGHTS:
22/04/07 Flora London Marathon 1st 2:07:41
23/04/06 Flora London Marathon 2nd 2:06:41
17/04/05 Flora London Marathon 1st 2:07:26
19/04/04 Boston Marathon 3rd 2:13:38
02/11/03 ING New York City Marathon 1st 2:10:30
21/04/03 Boston Marathon 3rd 2:11:11
