KENYA’S WORLD RECORD-holder Wilson Kipsang won the men’s London Marathon in a new unofficial course record of two hours, four minutes and 27 seconds on Sunday.
Fellow-Kenyan Stanley Biwatt came second with Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia — last year’s winner — third while Ayele Abshero of Ethiopia was fourth.
Mo Farah, the reigning Olympic and World 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion, finished in eighth place, failing to achieve his goal of breaking Steve Jones’ British record of 2:07:13, which has stood since 1985.
“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”
However, Farah refused to be rushed into a decision on his future, saying: “It was pretty tough. I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go. You learn, life goes on.”
In the women’s race, Kenya’s Edna Kiplagat had too much for Florence Kiplagat in the final metres, winning in a time of 2:20:19, three seconds clear of her compatriot and 14 ahead of Tirunesh Dibaba who was making her marathon debut.
It’s a first win in the race for the 34-year old who has twice finished second in London.
Marcel Hug and Tatyana McFadden won the male and female wheelchair races respectively.
Additional reporting from AFP.
