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Agence France-Presse

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir won the London marathon in a women’s-only world record on Sunday as Alexander Mutiso Munyao’s victory in the men’s race made it a Kenyan double.
The race was preceded by 30 seconds of applause for Kelvin Kiptum, 2023 winner of the men’s race, who was killed in a car accident in February.
A poignant day ended with two more Kenyan victories with Jepchirchir in particular putting down a marker ahead of her defence of her title at the Paris Olympics.
The field for the women’s race was considered one of the best ever assembled with three of the four fastest women in history competing.
The 30-year-old Kenyan came home in front of world record holder Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei to break the record mark without male pacemakers.

Jepchirchir’s time of 2 hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds smashed the women’s-only course record of 2:17:01 set by compatriot Mary Keitany in 2017.
Retired British star Paula Radcliffe ran a time of 2:15:25 in a mixed-sex marathon in London in 2003, using male pacemakers.
“I was not expecting to run a world record,” Jepchirchir said. “I knew it might be beat but I did not expect it to be me.
“I am so happy to qualify for the Olympics and I feel grateful. I’m happy to be at Paris and my prayer is to be there and run well to defend my title. I know it won’t be easy but I’ll try my best.”
Munyao got the better of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele to take the men’s race in 2:04:01.
A three-time Olympic gold medallist on the track, Bekele was on course for his first win on the streets of London aged 41, but Munyao proved too strong in the closing miles to pull clear up London’s famous landmark The Mall towards the finish line.
“At 40 kilometres I got some pressure from Bekele but I had a lot of confidence because I trained for this race,” Munyao said.
“After 40 kilometres I thought I had enough energy to win. That’s why I kicked and I knew I would win.”
Behind the front two it was a great day for the British pair of Emile Cairess and Mahamed Mahamed as they finished third and fourth respectively to close in on a place at the Paris Olympics.


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Marathons

London Marathon: Jepchirchir sets women’s world record, Munyao’s victory makes it a Kenyan double

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir crosses the line to win the women’s race in a world record time. Photo: AFP

Alexander Mutiso Munyao (left) and Peres Jepchirchir after winning their respective races. Photo: AP

Beijing Half Marathon organisers strip winner He Jie and overseas athletes of medals, prizes after controversial finish

He Jie (fifth from left) crossed the line first at the Beijing Half Marathon last Sunday. Photo: Xinhua

China’s He Jie winning the 2022 Asian Games marathon in Hangzhou. He was stripped of his win in last Sunday’s Beijing Half Marathon. Photo: AFP

Women’s race at London Marathon will be harder to win than gold at Paris Olympics, event director Brasher says

(From left) Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, previous world record holder Brigid Kosgei, Tigist Assefa and Ruth Chepngetich, the fourth-fastest woman of all time, at the Horse Guards Parade ahead of the London Marathon. Photo: AFP

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa is out to break the women’s-only course record. Photo: AFP

Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line to win the men’s race at the 2023 London Marathon. Photo: AP

Sport

Outdoor

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir sets a new women’s-only mark of 2 hrs, 16 mins and 16 secs
Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulls away over final two miles to win ahead of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele


Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir sets a new women’s-only mark of 2 hrs, 16 mins and 16 secs, while Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulls away to beat Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele.


Ethiopia

London Marathon: Jepchirchir sets women’s world record, Munyao’s victory makes it a Kenyan double

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir sets a new women’s-only mark of 2 hrs, 16 mins and 16 secs Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulls away over final two miles to win ahead of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir sets a new women’s-only mark of 2 hrs, 16 mins and 16 secs

Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulls away over final two miles to win ahead of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele