Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya made her way to a historic victory in the women’s elite race at the 2024 London Marathon, breaking the women’s-only world record in the process. Alexander Mutiso Munyao also from Kenya surged to victory in the men’s event.
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Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir showed her dominance on the London Marathon course delivering a performance for the ages.
The 30-year-old Kenyan athlete electrified the crowd as she surged ahead in a thrilling sprint finish, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds.
This achievement secured her victory but also shattered the previous women’s-only world record set by Mary Keitany in 2017, surpassing it by 45 seconds.
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, the fastest woman in history after her triumph in Berlin, mounted a challenge finishing just seven seconds behind Jepchirchir to claim second place.
Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 London Marathon winner showed her resilience by securing the third spot on the podium.
In the men’s race, Alexander Mutiso Munyao emerged as the standout performer seizing victory with a commanding display of strength and determination.
The 27-year-old Kenyan athlete showcased his endurance and tactical acumen as he crossed the finish line in a time of 2 hours and 4 minutes securing his place in marathon history.
Munyao’s victory was hard-fought as he faced stiff competition from legendary distance runner Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.
Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and multiple world champion pushed Munyao to his limits finishing just 14 seconds behind him to claim the second position.
Emile Cairess of Britain rounded out the podium delivering a commendable performance to secure third place.
Her self-belief propelled her ahead of her competitors leaving Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia and Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya trailing behind.
Assefa, who previously set a world record in the Berlin Marathon alongside male runners, finished second, while Jepkosgei claimed the third spot on the podium.
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Peres Jepchirchir expressed her gratitude and disbelief at her own achievement. “I thought the race would be fast and that the record would go, but I was not expecting it to be me,” she said.
Her victory cemented her status as a force in marathon running but also secured her a spot representing Kenya at the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
In the men’s race Alexander Mutiso Munyao emerged as the unexpected champion, clinching victory in a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 1 second.
Despite facing stiff competition from distance running legend Kenenisa Bekele, Munyao maintained his composure and confidence
With her stellar performance she virtually guaranteed her spot on Kenya’s Olympic team for the upcoming Games in Paris. Jepchirchir expressed her elation at the prospect of defending her Olympic title.
The 2024 London Marathon was also an occasion as participants and spectators paid tribute to last year’s winner, Kelvin Kiptum. Kiptum, who lost his life in a car accident earlier this year, was remembered for his achievements on the marathon course.
A video honoring Kiptum’s victory in the 2023 race was played before the start of the men’s event. The London Marathon also featured performances in the wheelchair events.
Marcel Hug secured his fifth victory in the men’s wheelchair race, while Catherine Debrunner won in the women’s competition, showcasing the incredible skill and determination of para-athletes on the global stage.
The 2024 London Marathon saw record-breaking participation, with approximately 50,000 runners converging on the iconic course along the River Thames.
Athletes from around the world showcased their determination, making this year’s edition the largest and most memorable in the event’s history.
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