World Marathon Majors Doubleheader Weekend Sure to Have Huge Leaderboard Implications
World Marathon Majors 2011
Series leaders Kebede and Shobukhova pace world’s best into London and Boston
April 7, 2011—The 2010–2011 World Marathon Majors series resumes with a doubleheader weekend, beginning with the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday, April 17, then jumping over the Atlantic for the Boston Marathon the next day.The WMM series leaderboard is sure to be reshuffled in the chase for the $1 million jackpot. Many of the world’s top marathoners will be looking to chase down WMM series points leaders Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia and Liliya Shobukhova of Russia on the streets of London. And another group of talented athletes will be in the hunt for the title on the famed Hopkinton-to-Boston course.
In London, Kebede and Shobukhova lead one of the most talented packs of athletes ever seen on a starting line. Kebede, with 40 points, brings a 10-point lead into London. A win would push him at least 15 points ahead of anyone who could potentially reach second place in the series standings. He will have his work cut out for him, however, as Kenyans Emmanuel Mutai (30 points) and Patrick Makau (25 points) will toe the line with him. Unfortunately, a leg injury has sidelined the 2008 Olympic champion and reigning WMM series champion, Kenya’s Samuel Wanjiru.
Shobukhova is the early favorite to retain her WMM series title. She comes into London with 50 points, after 2010 wins in London and at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Another London win would give her an almost insurmountable lead heading into the fall marathon season. Ethiopia’s Aberu Kebede (25 points), ING New York City Marathon 2010 champion Edna Kiplagat of Kenya (25 points), and fellow Russian Inga Abitova (20 points) will try to keep Shobukhova from running away with the WMM crown.
In Boston, Kenya’s Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot (25 points) and ING New York City Marathon 2010 winner Gebre Gebremariam (25 points) of Ethiopia could climb the ladder with strong finishes on Patriots’ Day. American favorite Ryan Hall could also work his way into the picture with a podium finish.
In the women’s race, returning champion Teyba Erkesso (25 points) of Ethiopia could stay in contention with another win. She can expect challenges from last year’s runner-up Tatyana Pushkareva (15 points) of Russia, and American star Kara Goucher, who is returning to WMM action after the birth of her first child last fall.
2010-2011 WMM Leaderboards
Men
Place Name Country Points Spring ’11 marathon
1 Tsegaye Kebede ETH 40 London
2 Emmanuel Mutai KEN 30 London
3 Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot KEN 25 Boston
3 Gebre Gebremariam ETH 25 Boston
3 Patrick Makau KEN 25 London
3 Samuel Wanjiru KEN 25 London
7 Tekeste Kebede ETH 15 Boston
7 Geoffrey Mutai KEN 15 Boston
Women
Place Name Country Points Spring ’11 marathon
1 Liliya Shobukhova RUS 50 London
2 Teyba Erkesso ETH 25 Boston
2 Aberu Kebede ETH 25 London
2 Edna Kiplagat KEN 25 London
5 Inga Abitova RUS 20 London
5 Bezunesh Bekele ETH 20 London
7 Atsede Baysa ETH 15 Idle
7 Shalane Flanagan USA 15 Idle
7 Tatyana Pushkareva RUS 15 Boston
World Marathon Majors Scoring
1st: 25 points 2nd: 15 points 3rd: 10 points 4th: 5 points 5th: 1 point