Ethiopian gaze the 2-hour 10-minute mark, albeit maybe not in London
The London Marathon will cost Assefa £450. Super shoe from Adidas
Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa says her sole objective in Sunday’s London Marathon is to win, but she is focused on breaking her own record in the women’s marathon, which she hopes to do in under two hours and ten minutes.
While breaking the previous record of 2:14:04 set by Brigid Kosgei in 2019, the 27-year-old is obviously confident after running 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds in Berlin last September.
“It has given me a lot of encouragement and confidence having broken the world record in Berlin,” she remarked. “I think I can accomplish more in the future. My goal is to set a new world record and continue competing in this sport for a very long time. I therefore wish to run in less than two hours and ten minutes in the future.
However, she was more reserved when questioned if she was trying to beat the rush hour in London. “Winning is my objective,” she answered. Assefa is still the clear favorite, but it appears like she won’t push herself too hard in the race on Sunday because she has the Olympic marathon in Paris in less than four months.
The current Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, Yalemzerf Yehualaw, the 2022 champion in London, and Ruth Chepngetich, the fourth-fastest woman of all time with a best time of 2:14:18, will be among the elite field she will battle.
Assefa told the Guardian that she exercised in the gym four times a week in addition to running between 110 and 124 miles each week. She remarked, “I think my approach to training and the hard work I do are my secret.”
She further stated that on Sunday, she would be donning the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 super sneaker from Adidas, which she used to break her world record in Berlin.
The sneaker, which weighs 40% less than earlier iterations, was heralded as yet another technological advance. But considering that it only lasts for one race and costs £450, it has generated discussion.
She remarked, “I really like the shoes.” “What sets them apart is their exceptional light weight. And I believe I have the upper hand there.