LONDON – World record-holder Wilson Kipsang has won the men’s London Marathon in a course record two hours, four minutes and 29 seconds as Britain’s Mo Farah found life tough on his debut over the distance.
Kipsang smashed the previous London record of 2hr 04min 40sec set by fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai in 2011.
It was a second London victory for Kipsang, the 2012 champion, who outpaced compatriot Stanley Biwatt in the finishing straight.
Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, last year’s winner was third, and Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was fourth.
Kenya celebrated a race double as Edna Kiplagat, runner-up for the past two years in London, won the women’s event.
In the men’s race Kipsang and Biwott surged away from a leading group of eight after some two-thirds of the way round the 42.2km course.
The two Kenyans were all but inseparable until, with around 1.5km left, Kipsang broke his compatriot’s resolve with a finishing burst.
“It’s really great to win the London Marathon again,” Kipsang said after the race on Sunday.
“It was around 31km that I decided to push harder as I felt very comfortable and strong. I pushed again towards the finish line and that’s when I broke away.”
Farah, reigning Olympic and world 5000 and 10,000 metres champion, finished in eighth place.
