Martin Kiptolo Lel (born 29 October 1978) is a Kenyan professional long distance and marathon runner. He won the London Marathon in 2005, 2007, and 2008, the New York City Marathon in 2003 and 2007 and the Great North Run in 2007 and 2009. His personal best time, , is 2:05:15, which he ran in the 2008 London Marathon setting a course record. Lel is coached by Claudio Berardelli and lives in the Rift Valley region of Kenya.
Lel ran his first marathons in 2002: he failed to finish at the Prague Marathon, but in his first finish he managed to claim second in the Venice Marathon.Running Times Magazine, June 2005: James Wokabi and Mutwiri Mutuota (2008-08-12). Focus on Athletes - Martin Lel. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-24. He won Lisbon Half Marathon in 2003, 2006 and 2009,IAAF, March 22, 2009: Lel and Goucher win in Lisbon was the gold medalist at the 2003 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, and won the Portugal Half Marathon in 2005. He made his Olympic debut for Kenya at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and came fifth in the marathon.
He beat Samuel Wanjiru to win the inaugural edition of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon in 2010.Cruz, Dan (2010-03-01). Adere clocks 1:07:52, Lel beats Wanjiru at New Orleans Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2010-03-02. In August 2010, he ran at the Falmouth Road Race and took third place.Gebremariam and Yimer the winners in Falmouth . IAAF (2010-08-16). Retrieved on 2010-08-16. After almost 3 years without running a marathon, he participated in the 2011 London Marathon as a replacement for Samuel Wanjiru, who was originally invited to run, but he still placed second with a time of 2:05:45, out-sprinting Patrick Makau at the finish line.Brown, Matthew (2011-04-17). Mutai and Keitany dominate and dazzle in London. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-24. He ran the 15K Saint Silvester Road Race at the end of the year, but was beaten into fourth place.Biscayart, Eduardo (2012-01-01). T. Bekele and Jeptoo beat the Sao Paulo New Year’s Eve rain. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-01-02. Lel entered two races the year after: he was runner-up again at the 2012 London Marathon (finishing in 2:06:51) and was victorious at the Portugal Half Marathon with a time of 61:28 minutes.Lel and Jeptoo beat the heat in Lisbon - REPORT. IAAF (2012-09-30). Retrieved on 2013-01-27.
In 2011, the American Charity, Shoe4Africa, funded and opened the Shoe4Africa Martin Lel school in Lel's home village, Kimn'geru, to honor the athlete.
His brother, Cyprian Kimurgor Kotut, followed in his footsteps as a marathon runner and won the 2016 Paris Marathon.Kenya’s Cyprian Kotut wins Paris Marathon. Daily Nation (2016-04-03). Retrieved on 2016-04-03.
Competition record
International competitions 2003World Half Marathon Championships New York, New York, U.S.1stHalf marathon2008Olympic GamesBeijing, China5thMarathon
Road races 2003Boston MarathonBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.3rdMarathonNew York City MarathonNew York, New York, U.S.1stMarathonLisbon Half MarathonLisbon, Portugal1stHalf marathonVirginia Beach Half MarathonVirginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.1stHalf marathon2004Peachtree Road Race Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.1st10 kmBoston MarathonBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.3rdMarathon2005London MarathonLondon, England1stMarathon2006Peachtree Road Race Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.1st10 kmLondon MarathonLondon, England2ndMarathon2007London MarathonLondon, England1stMarathonGreat North RunNewcastle upon Tyne, England1stHalf marathonNew York City MarathonNew York, New York, U.S.1stMarathon2008London MarathonLondon, England1stMarathon2009Great North RunNewcastle upon Tyne, England1stHalf marathon2010Mardi Gras Half MarathonNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.1stHalf marathonFalmouth Road RaceFalmouth, Massachusetts, U.S.3rd7.1 miles2011London MarathonLondon, England2ndMarathon2012London MarathonLondon, England2ndMarathon
References
External links
Marathoninfo profile "Martin Lel", n°37 on Time’s list of "100 Olympic Athletes To Watch"