Kipchoge wins London marathon, Farah fifth

Imperious Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge has led from start to finish to clinch his fourth London Marathon, with Britain's Mo Farah crossing in fifth.

Kipchoge, who smashed the world record by more than a minute to claim last year's Berlin Marathon in two hours, one minute and 39 seconds, strode clear of the field on Sunday to win with the second-fastest marathon time of 2:02:37.

Having run the first kilometre at world-record pace out in front, Kipchoge clocked an identical 10km time as he did when breaking the world record in Berlin, before coming through the halfway point at 01:01:37.

Ethiopian duo Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun kept up with Kipchoge, but the Kenyan pulled clear in the last 3.2km, winning with a course-record time, ahead of Geremew and Wasihun.

Farah, multi-Olympic, world and European champion over 10,000 and 5000 metres, finished fifth in a time outside his personal best.

In the preceding women's marathon, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei improved on last year's second place to win her first London title, finishing ahead of reigning champion Vivian Cheruiyot, with fellow Kenyan and three-time winner Mary Keitany fifth.

Chicago marathon champion Kosgei opened up a commanding lead over favourites Keitany and Cheruiyot and pulled away impressively from the star-studded field to win in a personal best of two hours, 18 minutes and 20 seconds - more than a second ahead of Cheruiyot and Ethiopia's Roza Dereje.

In Germany, Ethiopia's Tadu Abate edged compatriot Ayele Abshero in a sprint finish to win Sunday's Hamburg marathon.

Abate, who was second last year, posted a provisional two hours 08.26 in cold and rainy conditions.

Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich, the 2012 Olympic champion, was third. Kenya's Abel Kirui, who had been favourite, retired early with an injury.

Dibabe Kuma of Ethiopia won the women's race in a provisional 2:24:42, with Kenyan Magdalyne Masai more than 1:20 back in second place ahead of Failuna Matanga of Tanzania.

DPA