World record holder and seven-time World Marathon Majors winner Mary Keitany retires

Mary Keitany retires…

Mary Keitany won the 2017 Virgin Money London marathon, photo by Virgin Money

Mary Keitany is the athlete who I thought would destroy Paula Radcliffe’s World record. My belief, now that she has retired, is that Mary beat herself up too much on some challenging courses and very hot days. Mary Keitany is one of the giants of the women’s marathon. She ran some insane pace at the New York City Marathon over the years.

Her runs at London were among her best. My favorite was the Virgin Money London marathon in 2017. After that race, I spoke to her about the ‘breaking 2 effort’ by Eliud Kipchoge. She was idignant in her response, noting that women should get the same promotion and effort. She was angry. She was also very honest and right. I have linked the interview here: https://www.runblogrun.com/2017/12/the-2017-virgin-money-london-marathon-monday-presser-a-fantastic-discussion-on-the-sport.html

World record holder and seven-time World Marathon Majors winner Mary Keitany retires

The 2017 Great North Run, photos courtesy of Great North Run / Great Run Company

Kenyan running great Mary Keitany has announced her retirement after a stellar career which saw her win the London Marathon on three occasions and the New York Marathon four times, as well as triumph at the 2009 World Half Marathon Championships.

Mary Keitany wins The 2017 Great North Run, photo by Great North Run / Great Run Company

Keitany, 39, also still holds the marathon world record for a women-only race, having clocked a stunning 2:17:01 when winning the third of her Virgin Money London Marathon titles in 2017.

My memories of Mary include the three London victories:

2011 in 2:19:19

2012 in 2:18:37

2017 in 2:17:01

I also saw her win the Great North Run in 2017.

Mary Keitany, post race, 2017 Great North Run, photo by Great North Run / Great Run Company

My best memory of her was a presser when she was sitting if Vivian Cheruiyot and other Kenyan athletes. She was asked if it was hard to run against friends and training partners. She replied: “A race is a race!”

Mary Keitany at the finish line, 2017 Great North Run, photo by Great North Run / Great Run Company