First to finish the 2024 TCS London Marathon today was Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, who crossed the line in 1:28:35 after breaking away in the final 10K of the race to take a record-breaking fourth London victory in a row.
Daniel Romanchuk of the USA finished second in 1:29:06 with Great Britian’s David Weir third in 1:29:58 – the same podium placings as the Boston Marathon six days ago.
For Weir it was a special day as he took his place on the London Marathon podium for the 21st time at his 25th consecutive appearance at the event.
Women's Wheelchair Race
In the women’s wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Catherine Debrunner put in an imperious performance as she led from the start and raced alone to win in 1:38:54, just 30 seconds outside her own course record of 1:38:24, set here in 2022.
The Swiss athlete’s decision not to race in Boston six days ago paid off as she looked fresh in the bright and breezy conditions.
Manuela Schär made it a one-two for Switzerland, crossing the world-famous Finish Line in second place in 1:45:00, while just behind her the third podium spot came down to a sprint finish on The Mall as the USA’s Tatyana McFadden finished in 1:45:51, just holding off last year’s champion Madison de Rozario of Australia (1:45:54).
Great Britain’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper finished sixth in 1:50:39 after winning the Boston Marathon just six days ago.
Elite women's race
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir produced a stunning surge outside Buckingham Palace today to sprint to victory in a new women-only world record time of 2:16:16.
The previous best time of 2:17:01 was also set here in London by Jepchirchir’s compatriot Mary Keitany in 2017.
Today's race featured the best women’s field ever assembled, but the calibre of her fellow racers failed to phase the 2020 Olympic champion Jepchirchir, who played a smart waiting game in the final 10K before surging away from pre-race favourite Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia – racing for the first time since setting a stunning world record of 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Jepchirchir's sprint finish put clear space between her and Assefa, who finished in 2:16:23 in the runner-up spot, with Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya third just a second behind in 2:16:24.
Elite men's race
The elite men’s race also produced a close final 5K, as Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao pulled away from Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele along the Embankment to sprint to victory on The Mall at his debut London Marathon. Munyao finished in 2:04:01 while Bekele crossed the line in 2:04:15.
Great Britain’s Emile Cairess delighted the London crowds with his third-place finish in 2:06:46, the second fastest time ever by a British man, while fellow Brit Mahamed Mahamed finished fourth in 2:07:05.
Marc Scott finished just outside the top 10, placing 11th in 2:11:19 on his marathon debut, while Callum Hawkins finished 16th in 2:17:34.
Behind the elites, more than 50,000 are expected to finish the TCS London Marathon today, while around the world thousands of people are taking part in the sold-out TCS London Marathon MyWay virtual event, covering their 26.2 miles on a course of their choice any time between 00:00 and 23:59 today.