Kenyans top the London Marathon

World
Europe

Imperious Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge led from start to finish to clinch his fourth London Marathon crown on Sunday, with Britain's Mo Farah unable to challenge the leaders down in fifth.

Kipchoge – who smashed the world record by over a minute when winning the Berlin Marathon last year with a time of two hours, one minute and 39 seconds – strode clear of the field to win with the second fastest ever marathon time of 2:02:37.

Having run the first kilometer at world record pace out in front, Kipchoge clocked an identical 10km time as he did when breaking the world record in Berlin, before coming through the halfway point at 1:01:37.

Farah, multi-Olympic, world and European champion over 10,000 and 5,000 meters, finished fifth, with a time outside his personal best.

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei crosses the finish line to win her first London Marathon title in London, UK, April 28, 2019. /VCG Photo

In the women's elite race, Brigid Kosgei, also from Kenya, improved on last year's second place to win her first London Marathon title, finishing ahead of reigning champion Vivian Cheruiyot, with fellow Kenyan and three-times winner Mary Keitany down in fifth.

Chicago Marathon champion Kosgei opened up a commanding lead over pre-race favorites Keitany and Cheruiyot and impressively pulled away from the star-studded field to win in a personal best time of two hours, 18 minutes and 20 seconds – over a second ahead of Cheruiyot in second and Ethiopia's Roza Dereje in third.

00:52

Meanwhile, the London Marathon has a proud tradition of eccentric and bizarre outfits.

Highlights of costumed runners this year include Big Ben, Thunderbirds, Jesus Christ on the cross and Paddington Bear.

Source(s): Reuters