Olympic champion, Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir stormed to victory in a women’s only world-record time of two hours 16 minutes and 16 seconds in the London Marathon.
Jepchirchir won in 2:16:16, breaking Mary Keitany’s women’s only record of 2:17:01 set at the 2017 London Marathon by 45 seconds.
In a field considered to be one of the best ever assembled with three of the four fastest women in history competing, Jepchirchir finished ahead of world record holder, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) while Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu finished fourth.
“I am feeling grateful. I am so happy for the victory. I was not expecting to run a world record – I knew it might be beat but I did not expect it to be me,” Jepchirchir told BBC Sport.
She added, “I knew the history and the ladies were strong. I was working extra hard. My time was lower but I’ve come good today and set a PB. I am so happy to qualify for the Olympics and I feel grateful. I’m happy to be at Paris and my prayer is to be there and run well to defend my title. I know it won’t be easy but I’ll try my best.”
Similarly, in the men’s race, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao held off distance-running great Kenenisa Bekele to win in 2:04:01.
