Right, that is it for our live London Marathon coverage. It was quite the finish in the end with a shock result for Shura Kitata and Eliud Kipchoge finishing eighth. Check back for Sean Ingle’s race report shortly.
In the battle of Brits Jonny Mellor came out on top. He finished in 2hr 10min 6sec, with Ben Connor second in 2hr 11 min 20sec.
The final times for the top three:
- Shura Kitata 2hr 5min 41sec
- Vincent Kipchumba 2hr 5min 42sec
- Sisay Lemma 2hr 5min 45sec
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That’s a great finish! Shura Kitata wins in 2:05:42. Vincent Kipchumba given the same time in 2nd, and Sisay Lemma was 3rd, 3s behind. Kipchoge was 8th, in 2:06:49. Here are the splits: #londonmarathon pic.twitter.com/gIj2nelerJ
— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) October 4, 2020
Kipchoge comes in eighth and more than a minute down! That is the first time he has failed to win a marathon since 2013 - incredible.
Kitata wins the London Marathon!
Kipchumba opens up the gap but Kitata fights past him in the last 200m to power through the finish.
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Here comes the sprint!
Wow Geremew is falling away! Lemma, Kipchumba and Kitata pull away.
Geremew, who finished second last year, looks comfortable as the leading group whittles down to four as the bell goes for the last lap. Lemma, Kipchumba and Shura Kitata alongside Geremew.
Five at the front and just one Kenyan in the lead group. Advantage Ethiopia in the East African battle for long distance dominance.
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Kipchoge is dropped!
Drama at the front. Kipchoge looks like he is falling out of the back of the leading group. It is a significant gap back to 2019 winner now as Kipchumba, Geremew et al pull away.
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This will likely come down to a sprint finish, which might not favour Kipchoge who has not run on the track in a few years. Mo Farah, who ended his stint as a pacemaker a short while ago, would have been licking his lips had he decided not to ditch his marathon efforts.
The leaders are now through 35km. Geremew through first of the nine in 1hr 44min 14sec.
Kipchoge looks like he is smiling at the front. Probably less than 25 minutes to go him. Someone will surely have a go soon?
More pictures from Kenya:
Public viewing of the #LondonMarathon in Eldoret, western Kenya 🇰🇪 where majority of the athletes live. The Home of Champions. What a beautiful sight! ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/tvpncik2SY
— Usher Komugisha (@UsherKomugisha) October 4, 2020
To say the London Marathon is box office in Kenya is an understatement. NTV, the network showing the race in Kenya has set up drive-in cinemas for people to watch:
Huku #DriveInCinemaKE pacesetters wametoka wakaingia kwa magari zao kuendelea kuwatch #LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/WYMOcVxZvv
— Fafa Mukuru💦 (@osoroKE) October 4, 2020
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Business time? Kipchoge has just whipped off his hat and moved up to the front.
Kipchoge now just sitting at the back of the pack as Tamirat Tola and Kipchumba lead through the 30km barrier. They are through bang on 1hr 29min for that landmark.
It is definitely getting quicker. The last mile was ran in 4min 42sec.
Email from ‘krishnamoorthy v’ asking:
‘Isn’t the men race all about who is finishing 2nd?’
The pace at the moment says otherwise, with plenty in the leading pack capable of winning at the current lick.
Through the 25km mark in 1hr 14min 22sec, with Mosinet Geremew, Vincent Kipchumba and Sisay Lemma also looking good.
Not ideal for Eliud!
Oh no! Eliud Kipchoge's missed his drink. 😬
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 4, 2020
Live now on @BBCOne, @BBCiPlayer and @BBCSport online.
📲: https://t.co/KVAhHlFDSK#bbcmarathon #LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/agNP3KX5lH
The pacemakers are peeling off at the front now we are through 15 miles. The leading group is down to nine with the pack through in 1 hr 11 minutes 52 seconds.
Halfway in 62:54. The last 5km were run in 15:06, so it really is “comfortable” (as a pace, not a temperature) and slowing down. With this many guys capable of 2:06, there will likely be some attacks and tactical racing soon. #londonmarathon pic.twitter.com/BnNgGaDJdJ
— Ross Tucker (@Scienceofsport) October 4, 2020
If, like me, you are watching at home do get in touch with your thoughts. Channels to do so are in the bullets above.
Through 13 miles the leaders’ pace is not the quickest. The splits currently have the winner finishing in around the 2 hour six minute mark. You expect that will come down.
There has been a lot of chat about the controversial Nike trainers being used by most of the elite runners. Kipchoge addressed the issue ahead of the race...
That mile pace is not coming down at the front. Their last was 4 min 51 seconds.
For those of you that prefer the metric system, Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew was first through the 15 kilometre checkpoint (the first seven runners were all given the same time) at 44 min 31 seconds.
13 laps to for the men at the front, they ran the last mile in 4 min 48 seconds. It will be interesting to see given the condition if and when the up this pace.
The elite group are now under 14 laps, having just passed eight miles and having a drink. The BBC cuts to a shot of the GB group with the odd sight of Mo Farah working as pace maker.
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Hi all! Thank you Niall for handling the marathon thus far. The leading elite men have just ticked past the 29 minute mark, they are not ripping it up so far and Kipchoge looks very comfortable in the middle of the pack.
With 5km gone, Kipchoge looks very comfortable in behind the pace runners, with Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew also off to a strong start and in the leading group. Time for me to pass the baton to Tom Bassam, who will guide you through the rest of the race.
The men's race is go!
The airhorn sounds, and we’re off. Eliud Kipchoge, the world-record holder and winner in four of the last five marathons, is the hot favourite.
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The men’s race will be getting under way shortly. Of course, there are people all over the world running their own marathons today to raise money for charity, with amateur runners not taking part in the race.
“The weather is not good,” Kosgei tells Gabby Logan on the BBC. “We haven’t had much time to prepare ... I had some struggles out there.” She adds that she hopes to come back next year and defend her title. Priority No 1 will be getting off the Mall - she looks absolutely freezing.
In the battle to be the highest-placed British finisher, Natasha Cockram has battled back to overtake Naomi Mitchell. She leads by around 10 seconds round the final bend, finishing in a time of just over 2hr 33min.
Kosgei’s winning time was two hours, 18 minutes and 28 seconds. That’s some four minutes off her world-record time, set in Chicago last year - but given the lack of big-race preparation and weather conditions today, that’s no real surprise.
With the finish line in sight, Chepngetich has nothing left in the tank - and she’s left flat-footed when Hall kicks on again, sprinting clear of the Kenyan on the home straight! Hall finishes second, Chepngetich settles for third.
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What a late burst this is from Sara Hall - pain etched on her face, she finally gets beyond Bekere in the final mile, and is closing on Chepngetich ...
Brigid Kosgei wins the London Marathon!
The Kenyan repeats her 2019 success, and will finish more than two minutes clear of the tiring Chepngetich.
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One lap to go! Kosgei is onto the final lap. Chepngetich won’t catch her, and is more concerned with keeping clear of Bekere and Hall behind her.
Brigid Kosgei has pulled away from Chepngetich, and now leads by a minute. In the battle for third, US runner Sara Hall is closing in on Ashere Bekere, the Ethiopian who won last year’s Berlin marathon.
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With five laps to go, Brigid Kosgei has left her compatriot behind and moved into the solo lead. Further back, Naomi Mitchell has passed Natasha Cockram to become the leading British runner on the road; she’s on track for a personal best. Times recorded today will also count towards qualifying for next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.
The women’s race has already passed the halfway point with last year’s winner, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei joined by Ruth Chepngetich at the front.
There are a group of three chasers within their sight as they make their way down the Mall, away from Buckingham Palace, while further back, several stragglers have already suffered the unusual indignity of being lapped in a marathon.
Hello and welcome to rolling coverage of what will be a very different London Marathon. There are no amateur runners and no spectators, with the elite athletes instead running laps around St James’s Park. Thousands of people around the country, and indeed the world, are competing in virtual races as the main event takes place.
The women’s race is already under way, having begun at a sobering 7.15am BST. We’ll keep you updated on all the race news from the capital; if you’re taking part or just watching on, do get in touch.
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