Lankan runner places at 14th in London marathon

Marathon runner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray, the first Sri Lankan to compete in London marathon, has being placed 14th among over 35,000 runners.

Cooray finished with a time of 02:17:53, 11:49 behind the winner Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia in the 33rd Virgin London marathon held Sunday in London. Kebede crossed the finish line in 2:06:04

Before the event, 35-year-old Cooray, who represented Sri Lanka at the 2012 London Olympics, said he aims to finish the race among the top 20. He placed 55th in the 2012 Olympics.

Cooray started his running career as a 5000 m runner at Divulapitiya Central College and later switched to long distance running. He is Sri Lanka’s national record holder in the men’s marathon and 10,000 meters. He currently trains with the Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club and lives in Buckinghamshire.