Posted: April 23, 2006

Athletics: Limo Takes London In Sprint Finish

From David Monti

© 2006 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

LONDON (23-Apr) -- In a thrilling sprint finish, 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Champion Felix Limo beat defending champion Martil Lel in the Flora London Marathon. The two had broken away from a lead pack of six in the 24th mile when Lel made an explosive move, shattering the field.

As they passed the 400m to go sign, Lel was the first to go, and Limo's response wasn't instant. But with 200m to go, Limo had drawn even, then went ahead. Lel did not stop pressing, but Limo's sprint was just too strong. He got to the finish line first in 2:06:39 (official) with Lel just two second behind. Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa finished third in 2:06:55 PB, and American Khalid Khannouchi, running a superb comeback race, finished fourth, closely behind Ramaala

Haile Gebrselassie, who was dropped by Lel's big move, ran around 2:09. His finish position was not immediately available.

For Limo it was his fourth marathon victory and the fourth time he has run sub-2:07.

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