LONDON (Reuters) – Reigning Olympic champion Perez Jepchirchir broke the women's-only world record to win the 44th London Marathon on Sunday, with Kenyan compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao leading the way in the men's race. She won the race ahead of Ethiopian long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele.
Jepchirchir, 30, crossed the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in 2 hours 16 minutes 16 seconds, breaking Mary Keitany's record of 2 hours 17 minutes 01 seconds set in the women's race at the 2017 London Games. .
Jepchirchir broke away from the pack of four in a sprint finish, defeating the fastest group of women ever assembled, and fell to her knees in tears.
“I knew the race would be fast and that I would set a new record, but I never expected it to be me,” Jepchirchir said.
“It's because I believe in myself. As I crossed the finish line, I thought about how grateful I was that this would be my last competition to represent Kenya heading into Paris (Olympics). Now I can defend I knew there was a big opportunity” for my title in Paris. ”
In the men's race, the 27-year-old Muñao was pushed by Bekele until the final kilometres, pumping his fist over and over for the biggest victory of his career, winning in 2:04.01.
“I'm happy to win today's race. I was under pressure from Kenenisa Bekele at the 40km mark, but I was confident because I had been training for this race,” Munyao said. “So I said, have confidence.
“After running 40 kilometers, I thought I had enough energy to win today's marathon.”
He hoped his victory would be enough to earn him a spot on Kenya's powerful Olympic team to run in August's Paris Marathon.
“I think I have the ability to run in the Olympics,” he said.
Bekele, 41, who has won three Olympic titles in track and field and 17 world titles in outdoor, indoor track and cross country, finished second in 2:04.15.
Emil Careless came third in 2:06.46, almost sealing his place on the British Olympic team.
“It pretty much means I'm selected and part of the team,” Cares said. “(The race) was risky, but it was worth it.”
Careless dedicated his race to his cousin who recently survived a serious car accident.
“It's been a really tough time,” the 26-year-old said. “I got emotional this morning. I'm so proud to be able to do this for him today. It's not all about time and performance.”
A 30-second round of applause signaled the start of the men's race in memory of world record holder and last year's winner Kelvin Kiptum, who died at the age of 24 in a car accident in February.
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa, who set the women's world record alongside a male runner with a time of 2 minutes 11.53 seconds at the Berlin Marathon in September, also placed second in the women's race with a time of 2 minutes 16.23 seconds.
2021 London winner Joycilin Jepkosgei (Kenya) was third with a time of 2 minutes 16.24 seconds.
Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race, while his Swiss teammate Catherine DeBrunner won the women's race.
Approximately 50,000 runners are expected to cross the finish line on a balmy day with temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius as the 42.2km race meanders along the River Thames, making this year's event the largest London Marathon in history. .