Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya smashed the women’s world record by winning the 44th London Marathon on Sunday.
The 30-year-old surged ahead in the final 300 meters in a sprint finish, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds to break Mary Keitany’s mark of 2:17:01 set in a women-only race at the London 2017 event.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who clocked 2:11.53 at the Berlin Marathon in September to set a world record for women in a race alongside male runners, crossed in second place in 2:16.23.
Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, the London 2021 winner, was third in 2:16.24.
Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao achieved victory in the men’s race.
Munyao, 27, pumped his fist several times en route to the biggest victory of his career, pulling away from top runner Kenenisa Bekele to cross in 2:04.01.
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Reuters
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