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Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir crushed the women’s-only world record in winning the 44th London Marathon on Sunday, while Kenyan compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao raced to victory in the men’s race.
The 30-year-old Jepchirchir pulled away over the final 300m in a sprint finish, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in two hours 16 minutes 16 seconds to break Mary Keitany’s mark of 2:17:01 set in a women-only race at the 2017 London event.
Munyao, 27, pumped his fist several times en route to the biggest victory of his career, pulling away from distance running great Kenenisa Bekele to cross in 2:04.01. Ethiopia’s 41-year-old Bekele – who has raced to three Olympic titles on the track and a remarkable 17 world titles in outdoor and indoor track and cross-country – was second in 2:04.15, while Britain’s Emile Cairess took third in 2:06.46.
Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race, while Swiss team mate Catherine Debrunner won the women’s event.
More than 50,000 elite and charitable runners are taking to the streets of the capital on what is forecast to be a dry and bright Sunday with cool temperatures of 12C. A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this event, making it the most popular marathon in the world.
Follow all the latest updates from the London Marathon below.
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That’s all for now – we leave you with the report of a record-breaking day in the capital:
Peres Jepchirchir smashes women’s-only world record to win London Marathon
The Kenyan kicked for home as she turned down The Mall and won in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 15:09
Cairess dedicates Marathon performance to cousin
Emile Cairess dedicated his stunning run at the London Marathon to his cousin, who was left in a coma after a car crash earlier this year.
Cairess finished third in the second fastest time by a British man in two hours, six minutes and 46 seconds.
The run should rubber-stamp his place Great Britain team for this summer’s Olympics. But Cairess’ immediate thoughts were with his 22-year-old cousin, Oliver Burton, who is still in hospital but out of intensive care.
“He’s my little cousin, like a little brother to me, and a couple of months ago he was in a bad accident,” said Cairess, 26. “He was in a coma for about a month and just came out of ICU a few days ago,
“It was so stressful, it was touch and go at some points but he’s made a fantastic recovery in the last couple of weeks. This morning I was really emotional. Hopefully I’ve made him proud today.”
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 14:38
Emile Cairess and Mahamed Muhamed book Paris Olympic spots
British duo Emile Cairess and Mahamed Muhamed not only finished an impressive third and fourth in the men’s race today, but also set the second and third fastest times in British marathon running history behind only Mo Farah – and they have done enough to book their places at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 14:07
London Marathon 2024
Here is the moment it all began today, started by Olympic champion Kelly Holmes:
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 13:51
David Weir speaks following his podium finish
“I’m 45 in a couple of months so I’m really happy with my performance,” Weir tells the BBC, after finishing third today in the men’s wheelchair race.
“I’ve got a new chair, a full carbon chair made by Sauber (F1 team). With the wind today, it cuts through so easy. It goes over bumps well. To get a new chair made for me has been a joy. I’ve changed my diet, my training slightly, I needed to do that. Lots of changes, but they’re all working.”
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 13:40
Peres Jepchirchir smashes women’s-only world record to win London Marathon
Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir smashed the women’s-only world record to win a thrilling London Marathon.
The Kenyan kicked for home as she turned down The Mall and won in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds. Four runners were in with a shout down the final straight and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa came in second, ahead of Joyciline Jepkosgel in third with Megertu Alemu fourth.
The previous world record for a women-only race was 2hrs 17mins 01secs by Mary Jepkosgei Keitany in London in 2017.
Report:
Peres Jepchirchir smashes women’s-only world record to win London Marathon
The Kenyan kicked for home as she turned down The Mall and won in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 13:15
London Marathon 2024
So the elite racing is over, and it’s the masses streaming towards the finish line now. Those speedy ones aiming for the three-hour mark will be homing in on The Mall now...
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 13:02
London Marathon 2024
The moment Peres Jepchirchir set a new world record:
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:32
British duo shine in men’s race
In good news for British running, Emile Cairess and Mahamed Muhamed finish third and fourth – setting the second and third fastest times in British marathon running history behind only Mo Farah – and they have done enough to book their places at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:10
Alexander Mutiso Munyao wins London Marathon!
Alexander Mutiso Munyao falls to his knees and marks a cross on his chest. It is by far the biggest win of the 27-year-old’s life, and is made all the more poignant by the death of his teammate and last year’s winner, Kelvin Kiptum.
Lawrence Ostlere21 April 2024 12:07
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