London Marathon: Women’s-only world record, Kenyan double victory | Africanews

Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir set Sunday (Apr. 21) a world record for a women-only marathon as she won the London Marathon.

She may have been more focused on securing a chance to defend her Olympic gold than on setting a world record for a women-only marathon.

Jepchirchir had by far the strongest finish as she easily left her rivals behind to sprint alone down the final stretch in front of Buckingham Palace.

The 30-year-old athlete finished in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds, with Tigst Assefa in second and Joyciline Jepkosgei in third.

Another Kenyan won the men’s race.

Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao completed the men’s 42 km race in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 1 second. Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele finishing second and Britain’s Emile Cairess third.

The Kenyan double win came on the day the London Marathon remembered last year’s champion.

Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum died in a car crash in February aged 24.