Achi news desk-
Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir smashed the women’s only world record by winning the 44th London Marathon on Sunday, while fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao raced to victory in the men’s race.
Jepchirchir, 30, pulled away over the last 300m in a sprint, 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 in a women’s only race. at the London 2017 event.
Munyao, 27, pumped his fist several times en route to the biggest win of his career, pulling away from distance running champion Kenenisa Bekele to cross in 2:04.01. Bekele, 41, of Ethiopia – who has raced to three Olympic titles on the track and an astonishing 17 world titles in outdoor and indoor track and cross country – was second in 2:04.15, while Britain’s Emile Cairress was third in 2: 06.46.
Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race, and Swiss teammate Catherine Debrunner won the women’s competition.
More than 50,000 elite and charity runners are taking to the streets of the capital on what is forecast to be a dry and bright Sunday with a chilly 12C. A world record 578,000 people took part in the vote for this event, making it the most popular marathon in the world.
Follow all the latest updates from the London Marathon below.
London Marathon 2024
The moment Peres Jepchirchir set a new world record:
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 12:32
A British duo shine in the men’s race
In good news for British running, Emile Cairress and Mahamed Muhamed finish third and fourth – setting the second and third fastest times in British marathon history behind only Mo Farah – and they have enough to book their place at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 12:10
Alexander Mutiso Munyao wins the 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 it is made even more poignant by the death of his team-mate and last year’s winner, Kelvin Kiptum.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 12:07
Alexander Mutiso Munyao closes in on men’s marathon victory
In the men’s edition, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso pulled Munyao and the great Kenenisa Bekele clear to make it a two-horse race, and now Munyao has left Bekele behind on Victoria Embankment and is closing in on victory…
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 12:02
Peres Jepchirchir wins the London Marathon and breaks the world record
Jepchirchir collapses in a heap with emotion. Her time is confirmed as 2hr 16min 16sec, breaking the women’s only world record by 45 seconds.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:50
Peres Jepchirchir wins the London Marathon and breaks the world record!
Peres Jepchirchir fumbles away from her fellow leaders in the front four! She wins a world record, which will soon be confirmed. The Kenyan is the reigning Olympic champion and will go down as one of the greatest marathon runners of all time – and here’s another special moment.
Tigst Assefa was the favourite, but he can only make the podium in a stunning race.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:46
David Weir: ‘I wanted to be on the podium’
Here’s the great David Weir reflecting on a third place finish in his 25th London Marathon:
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:31
London Marathon 2024
Behind the elite runners, the masses are well into their race today…
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:26
The women’s race for a world record
The leading quartet in the women’s elite race – Tigst Assefa, Peres Jepchirchir, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Megertu Alemu – are under the world record. One of the four is almost certainly going to make history today.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:23
Eden Rainbow-Cooper is sixth in the women’s wheelchair race
A tough race for Eden Rainbow-Cooper from Britain, and a worthy result following her victory in Boston.
Lawrence Ostler21 April 2024 11:17
