Sunday Morning Report: Eliud Kipchoge Runs No. 3 Marathon All-Time and Other Things You Missed This Weekend

While you were sleeping, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge continued his dominance over 26.2 miles and came within eight seconds of breaking the world record at the 2016 London Marathon.

“I realized I was a few second off the world record. It was not really a disappointment,” Kipchoge told the IAAF after the race, although his expression told a different story.

Upon crossing the finish line, the 2015 World Marathon Major Champion immediately put his hands to his face. He finished in 2:03:05, just off Dennis Kimetto’s 2:02:57 world record. It is Kipchoge’s fifth-consecutive marathon victory.

It looked like a record-setting pace from the gun as the lead pack of six athletes crossed the halfway mark in 61:24, the fastest in marathon history. Remarkably, Kimetto was not in that pack, and eventually finished ninth in 2:11:44.

Two-time London winner Wilson Kipsang of Kenya held on until the 25K/15.5-mile mark, but eventually broke down. The last miles of the competition belonged to Kipchoge, Stanley Biwott of Kenya and track superstar Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.

Both were no match for Kipchoge, who broke away around 40K/24.8 miles into the race. Biwott finished second in 2:03:51, the sixth-fastest all-time. Bekele, who owns world records in the 5000m and 10,000m, finished third in 2:06:36. Click here for FULL LONDON MARATHON RECAP.

Jemima Sumgong Falls on Head, Gets Up to Win London Marathon in 2:22

For Jemima Sumgong, it was sweet, sweet victory that didn't come without a fight. Watch the video below, then read the complete recap.

Jemima Sumgong KEN wins #LondonMarathon in 2:22:58

Incredible recovery after big fall (see her rubbing her head ) pic.twitter.com/iULSusLpLn

— SPIKES (@spikesmag) April 24, 2016

Ashley Spencer is Officially a 400m Hurdler, The US Olympic Team Just Got That Much Harder to Make

Ashley “The Track Queen” Spencer ran a World-leading 54.70 in the 400m hurdles at the LSU Alumni Gold Invitational. Welp, it’s official. She’s likely done running the flat 400m.

Second 400mH race of the season, 54.7 and world lead? not bad

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— Ashley Spencer (@theTrackQueen) April 23, 2016

Yes, she earned the silver medal in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships, but compare that field to what the 2016 Olympic field will be. Shaunae Miller opened up her season with a 49.67 last week, Courtney Okolo ran the first collegiate sub-50 yesterday in Baton Rouge, and we haven’t even seen U.S. veterans Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross, Francena McCorory or Natasha Hastings race yet. Spencer will run the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Trials.

Top U.S. 400m Hurdlers + PBs
Kori Carter 53.21
Georgeanne Moline 53.72
Shamier Little 53.74)
Dalilah Muhammad 53.83
Cassandra Tate 54.01
ASHLEY SPENCER 54.70 (In only her seventh race ever) ​FULL RESULTS HERE.

Omar McLeod Runs Wind-Legal 9.99, First Sub-10/Sub-13 110m Hurdler

Don’t call Omar McLeod just a hurdler.

The 2016 World Indoor 60m Hurdle Champion won the 100m at the John McDonnell Invite in his outdoor season debut in 9.99 (+2.0) against the likes of Wallace Spearmon and John Teeters. He is now the first ever man to break 13-seconds in the 110m hurdles (12.97 PB) and 10-seconds in the 100m dash.

Only Terrence Trammell is close with his 12.95 hurdle PB and 10.04 100m time from 2000. McLeod was a member of the Arkansas Razorback 4x100m that won the NCAA Championships last spring, but had never run a flat 100m race before yesterday. FULL RESULTS HERE.

Henry Wynne Continues Winning Streak, Leads 7 Under 3:41

The Virginia NCAA Champion improved upon his NCAA-leading 1500m time by winning the Virginia Challenge in 3:38.05, breaking the school record and meet record. The performance improved upon his previous personal best of 3:38.35, which he ran earlier this season at the Florida Relays. 

Wynne broke the school record with a time of 3:38.05 in the 1500m. Mihaljevic won the men's shot put. More at 11 pic.twitter.com/VPCK50yOZT

— Bridget Condon (@_bridgetcondon) April 24, 2016

All American Justyn Knight of Syracuse finished behind him in 3:39.23, and was followed in a tight finish by James Randon, Craig Engels, Adam Palamar, Graham Crawford, and Robert Domanic who all ran under 3:41. The race shook up the NCAA rankings as all seven runners solidified themselves among the top 10 1500m runners in the NCAA.

Alysia Montano Opens 2016 With 2:01 Victory on Her Birthday

The seven-time U.S. Champion opened up the year of outdoor competition with a dominant victory at Cal’s Brutus Hamilton Invitational. Montano battled a headwind to claim the win in 2:01 on her home track. The victory was made even sweeter as she turned 30 years-old on the same day.