London’s annual throng of elite professionals, fun-runners in rhinoceros costumes and wheezing TV commentators weaved their way through the streets of the UK capital for the marathon. The men’s race had been billed as a two-horse contest between world record holder Dennis Kimetto and last year’s winner Wilson Kipsang, but it was another Kenyan, Eliud Kipchoge, who held off the latter to win in 2hr 04min 42sec. “This was like a major championship,” said an elated Kipchoge. “It was like an Olympic Games. I was a little bit scared at my competition, but I was very confident by the time we got to 40km.” The women’s race also conjured a surprise as Ethiopia’s Tigist Tufa won in 2:23:22, ahead of favourite Mary Keitany. Much of the home attention focused on Paula Radcliffe, the retiring British world record holder who ended her glittering career on a high of 2:36:55.
England show Test mettle
England’s cricketers showed that, for all their haplessness in the game’s shorter forms, they remain a force in the Test arena. A nine-wicket win over West Indies in the second Test in Grenada was burnished by fine batting from Joe Root and Gary Ballance, and a devastating bowling spell of 3 for 16 by Jimmy Anderson. “We should cherish every moment he bowls for England,” captain Alastair Cook said of Anderson, who now has 390 Test wickets. Root’s first-innings unbeaten 182 took him past a clutch of statistical milestones, including his 2,000th Test run for England.
Party time for Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich became the first of Europe’s footballing aristocrats to wrap up their domestic league this season, as Wolfsburg’s defeat by Borussia Mönchengladbach left the defending Bundesliga champions with an unassailable lead. “Have no doubt, we will have big celebrations, but everything at the right time. Then we will party,” said Bayern’s chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, possibly mindful that the team still needs to turn up for four more games this season. In England, Premier League leaders Chelsea ground out a 0-0 draw at Arsenal and could seal the title this weekend if other results go their way. José Mourinho’s side also dominated the PFA Footballer of the Year awards with six players in the Premier League team of the year and Eden Hazard voted overall top dog by his fellow professionals.
Kerber’s star quality dazzles
Germany’s Angelique Kerber maintained her upward trajectory in the world of women’s tennis, delighting the home crowd by winning the Stuttgart Grand Prix. The 27-year-old came from a set down to beat world No 5 Caroline Wozniacki 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 for her second successive clay court victory after also winning at Charleston last month. Kerber had earlier knocked out defending champion Maria Sharapova and now moves up to 12th in the world rankings.
