Alexander Munyao wins London Marathon as Briton Emile Cairess secures third spot

21 April 2024 , 16:42

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Alexander Munyao wins London Marathon as Briton Emile Cairess secures third spot

Alexander Mutiso Munyao has finished in first place to win the 2024 London Marathon in the men’s elite race.

The Kenyan surged over the the finishing line with a time of two hours, four minutes and one second to finish ahead of second placed Kenenisa Bekele.

Bekele, 41, was attempting to win the London Marathon for the first time, 20 years on from winning Olympic 10,000 meter gold.

But Munyao broke clear of the pack with three miles remaining to secure a superb victory.

‘I’m happy for winning the race today which is my fastest ever marathon,’ Munyao told BBC Sport.

‘At 40km I got some pressure from Bekele but I had a lot of confidence because I trained for this race. After 40km I thought I had enough energy to win. That’s why I kicked and I knew I would win.

‘I hope to be considered in the Kenyan Olympic team because I think I am capable. Winning today has given me confidence to do better in future races.’

Great Britain’s Emile Cairess secured the final podium spot with a time of two hours, six minutes and 46 seconds ahead of another British runner in Mahamed Mahamed, who finished just behind him in fourth place.

In the women’s elite race, Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir finished first with a women’s only word record of two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds.

Second-place Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei in third completed the podium, having also finished inside the previous record time previously set by Mary Jepkosgei Keitany in London in 2017.

Mhairi Maclennan crossed as the best placed British woman in 11th place.

David Wilson