Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge has won the London Marathon to become the first man to win the event four times while setting a new course record in the process.
Kipchoge won his record-extending 10th straight elite marathon in his first 26.2-miler since setting the world record of 2:01:39 in Berlin last year.
“It feels strange to be considered the most successful elite man in racing,” Kipchoge said, according to race organizers. “It was a very tactical race as everyone was there, but I know how to win this race, and I was confident and didn’t feel it was in doubt at any point.”
Kipchoge finished ahead of the Ethiopian duo of Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun while four-time Olympic track champion Mo Farah was fifth.
On the women’s side, another Kenyan Brigid Kosgei won her first London Marathon as she crossed the line over a minute ahead of second-placed defending champion Vivian Cheruiyot.
Kosgei posted the fastest second half of a women’s marathon in history (66:42) to become the seventh-fastest woman of all time.
The London Marathon marked the final major marathon of the spring. The fall season begins in Berlin on Sept. 29.