** London Marathon 2024: a day under the sun for elite athletes **
The London Marathon of 2024 was marked by exceptional performance of runners, both male and female, in an unusually hot climate, which has undoubtedly influenced the dynamics of the race. Sebastien Kawe, an athlete Kenyan, dominated the male test, while Tigst Asfru of Ethiopia set a new record for exclusively female races.
** An impressive course for Kawe **
Sebastian Kawe won first place in the marathon with 2 hours, 2 minutes and 27 seconds. His victory arises from a carefully orchestrated strategy, carried out during a key moment in the race – a phase where several elite runners, obviously affected by heat, slowed down at a refueling station. The inability of its competitors to take water in temperature conditions that can reach 18 ° C has left sufficient space for Kawe to move away from the group. This choice, while discussing often crucial racing tactics, calls out to the importance of the hydration strategy in outdoor races.
Kawe’s performance also raises questions about the mental and physical preparations of athletes in the face of changing climatic conditions. How do runners adapt their approach to the race against warmer terrains, and what practices can be implemented to better prepare athletes for these situations?
Jacob Kiplimo, who was doing his marathon debut after being the world record for half-marathon, finished 70 seconds from Kawe. This notable contrast between a runner beginner in marathon and a veteran raises questions about the impact of experience in performance marathon, especially in demanding conditions.
** A significant victory for Assefa **
On the feminine side, Tigst Assefa triumphed with a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 50 seconds, thus obtaining his first title in London. This result is remarkable since it establishes a new record for exclusively female marathons, although 25 seconds slower than the record time produced by Paula Radcliffe in 2003. Asfa speed could question female performance standards in marathons, while highlighting the need for equitable recognition of records between mixed races and races reserved for women.
Assefa explained that the milder temperature this year was favorable to its performance, contrasting strongly with the difficulties encountered during the colder conditions of the previous year, which had affected its capacity to finish the race. This raises the importance of physical preparation and continuous adaptation of athletes to climatic fluctuations.
Competition between the elites, like between Assefa and its compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei, the first finish in London in 2021, highlights the richness of talent in the field of athletics. However, the manifest fatigue of Jepkosgei, which ended almost three minutes after Assefa, leads us to think about the challenges that athletes meet during long races and the impacts of strategic choices made along the way.
** Towards a broader understanding of marathons **
The 2024 edition of London Marathon offers a precious overview of how racing conditions can influence the performance of athletes. This marathon, like so many other sporting events, is not only used as a scene to illustrate the physical superiority of runners but also invites us to consider environmental contexts and strategic choices.
By leaning over these elements, it is also relevant to measure the repercussions of climate change on major sporting events. In the future, how can the racing organizers anticipate and mitigate these effects while ensuring the safety and performance of runners?
This marathon has also highlighted the recent successes of Kenians and Ethiopian runners, who continue to dominate the podiums. What are the cultural and environmental roots? Examining these factors May Provide Insights Into the Susted Excellence of These Athletes in Distance Running Globally.
Ultimately, the marathon is more than a simple race: it is a mirror of the current state of athletics, but also of our relationship to the environment, competition and performance. Reflections like these are essential to continue dialogue on sporting events worldwide.