Kipsang sets course record in London win

World-record holder Wilson Kipsang won the London Marathon for the second time, seeing off a strong field with a course-record time.

The 32-year-old Kenyan completed the 26.2-mile route in two hours, four minutes, 29 seconds – 11 seconds inside the previous fastest run in the British capital by Emmanuel Mutai in 2011. Compatriot Stanley Biwott was second, his best finish in London.

Meanwhile, Britain’s Mo Farah toiled on his highly-anticipated debut.

The world and Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion, came home eighth after dropping behind the leaders from the start.

“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. It was pretty tough. I’m quite disappointed but you try things and if they don’t work, at least you gave it a go.”

Women’s event

Edna Kiplagat won her first London title after finishing runner-up in the past two years, getting the better of compatriot Florence Kiplagat in the final 200 metres to win in two hours, 20 minutes and 21 seconds.

Edna Kiplagat outkicked her namesake who finished three seconds behind with Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba, making her marathon debut after a glittering track career, taking third, 14 seconds behind the winner.

Last year’s London winner Priscah Jeptoo dropped out of the race at around the 25-km mark while Olympic champion Tiki Gelana finished ninth.