Jepchirchir shatters women’s-only world record to win London Marathon

In a thrilling display of athleticism, Peres Jepchirchir and Alexander Mutiso Munyao emerged victorious at the 44th London Marathon, setting new records and making history in the process.

Jepchirchir, the reigning Olympic champion, shattered the women’s-only world record by crossing the finish line in an impressive time of two hours 16 minutes 16 seconds. The 30-year-old Kenyan runner broke Mary Keitany’s previous record, set in 2017, and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to represent Kenya before heading to the Paris Olympics.

On the men’s side, Munyao, 27, clinched the victory in the men’s race with a time of 2:04.01, outpacing Ethiopian distance great Kenenisa Bekele in the final stretch. Munyao’s confidence and determination paid off as he secured the biggest win of his career and set his sights on earning a spot on Kenya’s Olympic team for the Paris marathon.

The race also saw Emile Cairess of Britain secure his spot on the Olympic team with a third-place finish, dedicating his performance to his cousin who survived a serious car crash. The emotional victory underscored the resilience and dedication of the athletes competing in the prestigious event.

As the London Marathon paid tribute to the late Kelvin Kiptum and celebrated the achievements of all participants, the event marked a historic moment with approximately 50,000 runners crossing the finish line on a breezy day along the River Thames. The record-breaking performances and inspiring stories of triumph added to the legacy of the London Marathon as one of the premier events in the world of distance running.