Peres Jepchirchir and Alexander Mutiso Munyao Win London Marathon in Record Times

Peres Jepchirchir made history today by winning the London Marathon in a women’s only world-record time of two hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds. The Olympic champion’s incredible performance saw her beat the previous record set by Mary Keitany in 2017. Jepchirchir was joined by Tigst Assefa, Megertu Alemu, and Joyciline Jepkosgei in breaking the previous record, making it a thrilling race for the top spot.

In the men’s race, Alexander Mutiso Munyao emerged victorious, holding off the legendary Kenenisa Bekele to claim the title in a time of 2:04:01. The British duo of Emile Cairess and Mahamed Mahamed also put on an impressive performance, finishing third and fourth respectively. Cairess’s time of 2:06:46 makes him the second-fastest British man over the distance and secures his spot at the upcoming Olympics.

Jepchirchir expressed her gratitude and happiness after the race, stating that she did not expect to break the world record but was thrilled to have achieved such a feat. She also mentioned her excitement about qualifying for the Olympics and her determination to defend her title in Paris.

Tributes were paid to Kelvin Kiptum, the 2023 winner who tragically passed away earlier this year, before the men’s race began. Munyao dedicated his win to Kiptum and expressed his confidence in his training leading up to the race. He credited his victory to a well-timed kick in the closing stages, securing his first win in London.

Overall, the London Marathon provided thrilling races in both the men’s and women’s categories, with new records set and emotional moments shared among the athletes. The event showcased the incredible talent and determination of the participants, setting the stage for an exciting summer of athletics.