Two of the best smartwatches, the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Forerunner 965, were put to the test during the TCS London Marathon. While both recorded solid metrics and accurate GPS throughout the run, the Garmin easily outshines the Apple Watch Ultra when it comes to portable power. The Forerunner 965 lasts 31 hours in GPS mode without music and 8.5 hours in GPS mode with music, while the Ultra has a battery life of around 12 hours. The Garmin Forerunner 965 takes the crown for being an out-and-out runners watch with great battery, a fantastic screen, and ubiquity across operating systems.
Transgender female runner Glenique Frank, who competed in the female category of the London Marathon and beat around 14,000 women, has offered to give her medal back after facing criticism. Frank, who identifies as female, said she did not compete as an elite runner and did not steal any money. She plans to run in other races, including New York City, Tokyo, and Boston, and will enter the London Marathon next year as "other" or "male" to "just keep everybody happy."
Kelvin Kiptum won the London Marathon with the second-fastest time in history, while Sifan Hassan won the women's race. Kiptum broke Eliud Kipchoge's course record and became the second-fastest man in history, finishing in 2:01:25. Hassan won in 2:18:33, despite dealing with a left hip injury and fasting during Ramadan. She has won major titles in the 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, and the marathon, and is the world record holder in the mile.
Sifan Hassan, an Olympic champion from the Netherlands running her first marathon, staged a stunning comeback to win the London Marathon in one of the most dramatic and unexpected finishes in the race’s history. Hassan fell off the pace about an hour into the race, stopped at least once to stretch her aching left hip, and offered a drink to one of her rivals as they ran even after missing a water stop herself. She finished in 2 hours 18 minutes 33 seconds, beating an elite field.
Extinction Rebellion's "The Big One" campaign, which began on Friday, has seen thousands of protesters gather in central London to call for more action to tackle the climate crisis. The second day of the campaign coincides with Earth Day, and a "unite for nature rally" is set to take place near the Houses of Parliament. The London Marathon, which takes place on the third day of the campaign, is aiming to reduce its environmental impact, while XR is coordinating with the event's organisers and does not plan to disrupt runners. Wildlife presenter Chris Packham has made a rallying call for "every last person who cares" about the planet to join Extinction Rebellion.
Just Stop Oil activist Phoebe Plummer refused to confirm or deny whether the FA Cup semi-finals will be targeted by climate change protesters this weekend, but stated that the London Marathon would not be disrupted. The group is part of a larger movement of around 40,000-50,000 people expected to participate in protests in London. The activists are calling for an end to new fossil fuel licenses and are willing to continue disrupting events until the government takes meaningful action.
Danielle Epstein is running the London Marathon in honor of her ex-boyfriend, Jelle Fresen, who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive type of brain cancer. Epstein left Fresen because his cancer battle was damaging her mental health. She is now running the marathon to benefit brain tumor research and has started a JustGiving page to fundraise for the cause. The former couple is trying to work on a friendship, and Fresen will be there Sunday, cheering and supporting his former girlfriend.
A woman left her boyfriend after he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain tumor because she couldn't cope with his cancer battle. She moved to Thailand but remained friends with him and is now running the London Marathon for a brain tumor charity. Her ex-boyfriend has been supportive of her efforts and will be there to cheer her on. The woman said she left him because it was damaging her mental health and it wasn't helping him.
