London Marathon 2023: Sifan Hassan overcomes injuries to win first marathon in thrilling fashion
Posted : 24 April 2023
One of history's most significant wins, it was also one of the most spectacular.
Sifan Hassan, a two-time track Olympic champion who had never run a marathon, prevailed in London over a formidable field of champions who were all specialists over 26.2 miles.
That alone would be extraordinary, but early on it appeared as though Hassan would have to withdraw.
She was dealing with a hip ailment and occasionally pulled over to the side of the road to stretch it out as her competitors moved on "She needs to stop," Britain's marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe said.
"Somebody needs to give her some advice to step off and stop trying to run on."
But Hassan, a former refugee who traveled to the Netherlands from Ethiopia when he was 15 years old, would not give up.
Before sprinting for victory on The Mall, she persevered and caught the Olympic marathon champion and London winner from the previous year.
"To outkick them is remarkable," Radcliffe said.
"It's not just winning it, it's the way she was out of contention and yet she fought back to beat the Olympic champion, the defending champion.
"She is an inspiration and that is just phenomenal."
The holy month of Ramadan had an effect on Hassan's development as well since it required him, like other Muslims, to refrain from eating or drinking throughout the day.
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