Lemma hits the big time as he bags London win
ETHIOPIA’S Sisay Lemma landed the biggest win of his career by taking the London Marathon.
Lemma, who finished third last year, turned up the pace around four miles from home and came home to in 2.04.01.
The 30-year-old is the sixth quickest runner ever at the London Marathon.
Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba and Ethiopia’s Mosinet Geremew were second and third.
The men’s defending champion Shura Kitata came home sixth in 2.07.51. The Ethiopian had been hampered by a hamstring niggle.
Joyciline Jepkosgei took Kenyan compatriot Brigid Kosgei’s title in the women’s race
Jepkosgei also made her decisive move at the 22-mile mark and crossed the line in 2.17.43.
Kosgei eventually dropped back and ended fourth.
Degitu Azimeraw of Ethiopia was second with Ashete Bekere third.
Charlotte Purdue was the first Briton home in the women’s race.
Purdue finished 10th in a personal best 2:23.26, well inside the qualifying standard for next year’s World Championships in Oregon.
Perdue, who was not chosen for the Tokyo Olympics, told BBC Sport: “I knew I did deserve a spot on the team but obviously I had to put it behind me so it was good to have this as a focus.
“I was all in for this day. “Qualifying for the World Championships was a great bonus today as well.”
Marcel Hug and Manuela Schar completed a Swiss double in the wheelchair races, with Britain’s David Weir coming third in his 22nd London Marathon.
This year’s race welcomed back 40,000 mass-event runners to the traditional street course, after only elite runners took part last year because of the coronavirus emergency.