Eliud Kipchoge shatters London Marathon record

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line to win the elite men's race of the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019.

Photo credit: Ben Stansall | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • Kipchoge’s feat saw him break his own course record time of 2:03:05 set with victory in 2016. 

  • It is the second fastest time in history after his world record time in Berlin of 2:01:39.

Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya affirmed his prowess when he retained his London Marathon title for a record fourth win with a course record time in the British capital.

The world record holder Kipchoge tactically shed off Ethiopians Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun with three kilometers to go to claim victory in 2 hours, 02 minutes and 37 seconds.

Kipchoge’s feat saw him break his own course record time of 2:03:05 set with victory in 2016. 

It is the second fastest time in history after his world record time in Berlin of 2:01:39.

The 34-year-old, whose previous London triumphs came in the 2015, 2016 and 2018 editions, was in imperious form as he broke clear of Ethiopia's Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun, second and third respectively.

"I'm happy to win on the streets of London for the fourth time and to make history, on a day that the event has raised £1 billion (for charity)," Kipchoge told the BBC.

"The crowd in London is wonderful and that spirit pushed," added Kipchoge, who has now won 11 of the 12 marathons he's contested.

Asked where he would run next, he replied: "As usual, I do not chase two rabbits, I only chase one and that was London. I have caught that rabbit so I will discuss with my team what follows."

Britain's Mo Farah, whose build-up to race day was overshadowed by an extraordinary row with distance great Haile Gebrselassie over an alleged robbery in the hotel owned by the retired Ethiopian, could not cope with the pace as he finished in fifth place.

Top 10 Men's results

1. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2 hours 2 minutes 37 seconds, 2. Mosinet Geremew (ETH) 2:02:55, 3. Mule Wasihun (ETH) 2:03:16, 4. Tola Shura Kitata (ETH) 2:05:01, 5. Mo Farah (GBR) 2:05:39, 6. Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:06:57, 7. Bashir Abdi (BEL) 2:07:03, 8. Leul Gebresilasie (ETH) 2:07:15, 9. Yassine Rachik (ITA) 2:08:05, 10. Callum Hawkins (GBR) 2:08:14