Olympic champion comes out on top in brilliant battle and puts herself in pole position for Paris, while Mhairi Maclennan finishes as the best of British on 26.2-mile debut
Peres Jepchirchir came out on top in the game of poker that was the elite women’s race at the London Marathon, sprinting away in the closing stages to break the women’s-only world record.
The Olympic champion’s victory, in 2:16:16, also strengthened her hand in the fight to be selected for the Kenyan team bound for Paris this summer. Her patience paid off as she beat Mary Keitany’s mark of 2:17:01 from 2017 and also set in London.
Behind Jepchipchir came Ethiopian world record-holder Tigist Assefa, who was unable to follow her rival’s race-deciding kick, and finished in 2:16:23, one second ahead of 2021 London winner Joyciline Jepkosgei.
Mhairi Maclennan (London Marathon Events)
On her marathon debut, Mhairi Maclennan impressed by coming 11th in 2:29:15 to finish as best of the British women’s elite field. Becky Briggs was 12th in 2:35:25 and Rachel Hodgkinson 13th in 2:36:49.
More to follow…
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