Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir wins women's London marathon

Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir celebrates after winning the women's race in a world record time for a women's only race at the 2024 London Marathon in central London on April 21, 2024. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The 30-year-old Kenyan came home in front of Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei to break the world record mark without male pacemakers.

London. Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir won the women's London marathon in a world record time of 2 hours 16 minutes 16 seconds for a women's only race on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Kenyan came home in front of Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei to break the world record mark without male pacemakers.

Jepchirchir beat the women's-only course record of 2:17:01 set by Kenya's Mary Keitany in 2017.

Retired British star Paula Radcliffe ran a time of 2:15:25 in a mixed-sex marathon in London in 2003, using male pacemakers.

World record holder Assefa had been the pre-race favourite but she could not live with Jepchirchir's kick for the finish line inside the final kilometre.

Both she and Jepkosgei also finished inside the previous women's-only record time.

Two-time former London marathon winner Brigid Kosgei finished fifth behind Megertu Alemu.