Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya celebrates winning the men's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
LONDON, April 21 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan duo of Alexander Munyao and Peres Jepchirchir won London Marathon men's and women's titles respectively on Sunday.
Jepchirchir ran side by side for almost the whole course with world record holder Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia as well as former London Marathon winner Joyciline Jepkosgei. But the 30-year-old pushed herself forward with a few hundred meters to go, winning a tight race in 2:16:16.
Assefa, who had set a new world record of 2:11:53 at last year's Berlin Marathon, finished second in 2:16:23, while Kenya's Jepkosgei took bronze, one second behind.
Jepchirchir's result was much slower than Assefa's world record, but it was the fastest time ever in a women-only marathon, beating the mark of 2:17:01 set by Mary Keitany in London in 2017. The elite women's field in London started around 30 minutes ahead of the elite men.
"I was not expecting to beat the world record. I knew we would beat it but I was not expecting it to be me," said Jepchirchir after the race.
The Kenyan has now set her target to defend her Olympic title in Paris this summer. "I know it is not going to be easy but I will try my best."
In the men's elite race, Munyao smashed Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele's dream of winning his first London Marathon title, as the 27-year-old Kenyan led the race solely with about three kilometres to go until dashing to the finishing line first in 2:04:01.
41-year-old Bekele, who had won three Olympic golds and five world championship titles over 5,000m and 10,000m, took second place in 2:04:15, followed by local runner Emile Cairess in 2:06:46. ■
First placed Peres Jepchirchir (C) of Kenya, second placed Tigist Assefa (L) of Ethiopia and third placed Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya pose after the women's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Women's elite race winner Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya poses on the podium during the awarding ceremony for 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Men's elite race winner Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya poses on the podium during the awarding ceremony for at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya celebrates after winning the women's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Participants run past Big Ben at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Xinhua)
Participants run past the London Eye at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Xinhua)
Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
First placed Peres Jepchirchir (C) of Kenya, second placed Tigist Assefa (L) of Ethiopia and third placed Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya pose on the podium during the awarding ceremony for the women's elite race event at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
First placed Alexander Mutiso Munyao (C) of Kenya, second placed Kenenisa Bekele (R) of Ethiopia and third placed Emile Cairess of Britain pose after the men's elite race at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
First placed Alexander Mutiso Munyao (C) of Kenya, second placed Kenenisa Bekele (L) of Ethiopia and third placed Emile Cairess of Britain pose on the podium during the awarding ceremony for the men's elite race event at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Tim Ireland/Xinhua)
Participants run past Big Ben at 2024 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 21, 2024. (Xinhua)
