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You are in: Special Events: 2001: London Marathon |
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Sunday, 22 April, 2001, 17:57 GMT 18:57 UK
Tulu: Dedication was key
Tulu tastes victory in the London Marathon
Olympic 10,000m champion Derartu Tulu completed the transition from track to road by winning the London Marathon on Sunday.
The Ethiopian she said her dedication to the event was key. "After last year's race I realised you could not run both cross country and try and win over the marathon. It needs total concentration." "I took the decision to miss the cross country season and prepare totally for the London Marathon. "It has been hard work after having to do all of the extra endurance work - but now worthwhile," said Tulu who collected £36,000 for her victory.
"I felt a pain in my right buttock and had to stop and do some stretching exercises," said Loroupe, who conceded more than a minute to the elite women's field early on. "The cold didn't help and when I tried to stop the spasms I had problems breathing through my nose and mouth." Loroupe battled back, but then faded and Tulu struck for home. "I was thinking of going earlier but I am still learning the event and decided to wait," the Ethiopian said. In the men's race, Abdelkader El Mouaziz took up the running after the halfway point and his speed gradually pulled him away from the field to victory.
"When I made my break I expected the rest to come with me and help
out with the pace. They didn't, so I just went it alone," he said afterwards.
Much had been expected of the challenge of five times world cross country champion and double world half marathon champion Paul Tergat. He ran well and finished second on his debut over the distance, 64 seconds adrift of the winner. "It was a great experience," Tergat said. "It was such a unique race, going fast-slow, fast-slow. I'm certain the marathon is the career for me now." For the second successive year Mark Steinle was the first British finisher. Shaking off a knee injury the Blackheath Harrier improved five places on his position of last April with sixth in a personal best 2-10.46.
"I know it was windy out there but I was a little bit disappointed with my time," he said.
"I thought I would have run faster. Mind, three weeks ago I had to take a week off training injured. "That badly jolted my confidence coming so close to the race. That's why I adopted a low key plan about how I planned to run my race. "Now I can prepare myself without any worries for Edmonton." Tanni Grey-Thompson, the Brit who again proved unbeatable in the women's wheelchair event, was unable to keep pace with the men. "At the start I was chasing the men's pack but I couldn't keep up," said Grey-Thompson. "I got a slow puncture at four miles which made me worry but it did make going downhill easier."
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