Kenya Rules London Marathon

Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany completed a Kenyan double at the London marathon as the East African country once again dominated the races by taking five of the six podium places.

Kipsang, second fastest man in the world over the distance, won in 2 hours, 4 minutes and 44 seconds, just four seconds off the course record set last year by Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai.

Keitany became the third fastest woman in the marathon as she retained her title in 2:18.37 ahead of world champion, Edna Kiplagat, and Priscah Jeptoo.

Florence Kiplagat and Lucy Kabuu completed a Kenyan sweep of the top five women’s places.

London was the final chance for the athletes to impress the Kenyan selectors with the Kenyan Olympic marathon team due to be announced at the end of the month.

Kipsang, whose personal best of 2:03.42 is three seconds off the world record, surged to the front of the men’s race just after the halfway stage.