The Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum has won this Sunday with a time of 2:01:25, the best in the London event and the second best in the world, his first elite men's race in the London marathon, while the Ethiopian-Dutch Sifan Hassan did it in her debut in the women's category with 2:18:33.
Kiptum, 23, who recorded the best time of a rookie last December in the Valencia marathon (Spain), today achieved the second best world mark, only surpassed by Eliud Kipchoge's 2:01:09, who this time did not compete
Fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor and Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola came second and third respectively in the 26.2-mile (42.16-kilometre) race through central London, which fielded a record 49,675 professional crowd. and fans.
British Olympic medalist Mo Farah, who has a personal best time of 2:05:11, finished ninth with a mark of 2:10:27, in what he has said will be his last marathon, as he believes that his body no longer stands up to hard training.
Hassan, who prepared during the fasting month of Ramadan, bested Alemu Megertu and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir in a thrilling sprint finish.
The elite women's competition got off to a dramatic start after record holder Kenyan Brigid Kosgei, in 2:14:04, began to limp and retired after just three minutes.
The unexpected triumph of the Olympic champion Hassan, 30, has been considered one of the most impressive in the annual event in the British capital.
Swiss Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race for the fifth time and Australian Madison de Rozario won the women's race.
The runners, mostly amateurs who do it many times to raise money for charities, set out from Greenwich, south of the Thames, via Canary Wharf and across Tower Bridge to the Tower of London, past the Trafalgar Square to finish at Buckingham Palace.
This year the marathon, which has taken place in variable weather with clouds, sun and rain, has returned to its usual April calendar, after three years of being held in October due to the pandemic.
Among the British personalities taking part are the leader of the musical group Mumford
The marathon coincided with the third of a four-day protest in London by the environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, which has vowed not to disrupt the sporting event.
