London Marathon 2024 LIVE: Peres Jepchirchir breaks women’s-only world record as 50,000 run 26-mile race

A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this year’s event in the capital

Related video: Three stretches to aid marathon recovery

Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir crushed the women’s-only world record in winning the 44th London Marathon on Sunday, while Kenyan compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao raced to victory in the men’s race.

The 30-year-old Jepchirchir pulled away over the final 300m in a sprint finish, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in two hours 16 minutes 16 seconds to break Mary Keitany’s mark of 2:17:01 set in a women-only race at the 2017 London event.

Munyao, 27, pumped his fist several times en route to the biggest victory of his career, pulling away from distance running great Kenenisa Bekele to cross in 2:04.01. Ethiopia’s 41-year-old Bekele – who has raced to three Olympic titles on the track and a remarkable 17 world titles in outdoor and indoor track and cross-country – was second in 2:04.15, while Britain’s Emile Cairess took third in 2:06.46.

Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race, while Swiss team mate Catherine Debrunner won the women’s event.

More than 50,000 elite and charitable runners are taking to the streets of the capital on what is forecast to be a dry and bright Sunday with cool temperatures of 12C. A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this event, making it the most popular marathon in the world.

Follow all the latest updates from the London Marathon below.

London Marathon 2024

• More than 50,000 taking part in this year’s London Marathon
• Peres Jepchirchir wins women’s race and breaks world record
• Alexander Mutiso Munyao wins men’s race ahead of British duo
• Race pays tribute to men’s champion Kelvin Kiptum who died in Kenya
• Wheelchair and non-disabled athletes to receive same prize money for first time
• ‘Hardest Geezer’ Russ Cook among runners involved

[20 April 2024 10:30 · Matt Mathers]

How much will the winners get?

The 2024 London Marathon will create history by becoming the first marathon in the world to ensure equal distribution of prize money between able-bodied athletes and wheelchair racers.

Although the winners as not as well paid as in some other iconic sporting events, the elite men’s and women’s able-bodied races and men’s and women’s wheelchair races will all have a prize pot of $308,000 (£243,000)

Here’s how much the winners will receive:

[20 April 2024 10:28 · Matt Mathers]

‘Hardest Geezer’ to run London Marathon and sets next long-distance target

Hardest Geezer Russ Cook, who ran the entire length of Africa, will return to long-distance running at the London Marathon.

Mr Cook, from West Sussex, said he planned to run the marathon for charity despite only finishing his 352-day challenge on 7 April.

Full report:

[20 April 2024 10:26 · Matt Mathers]

Wheelchair and non-disabled athletes to get same prize money

This year’s race will mark the first time that wheelchair and non-disabled athletes have received the same prize money for a marathon.

All four winners of the elite races will receive £44,000, with the runner-up earning £24,000 and third place taking home £18,000.

David Weir, who will be racing his 25th consecutive London Marathon on Sunday and has won eight times, said he had not expected the change to happen in his lifetime.

File photo: The London Marathon men’s wheelchair race in 2021 (PA Archive)

[20 April 2024 10:23 · Matt Mathers]

50,000 to take part in marathon

The ballot for next year’s TCS London Marathon has opened on the eve of the 2024 event.

A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this year’s event which takes place on Sunday, making it the most popular marathon in the world.

More than 50,000 people, a record number, are expected to take part on what is due to be a dry and bright day with temperatures up to 12C.

Last year, ahead of the race, a total of £39 million was raised by London Marathon participants on the fundraising site (PA) (PA Archive)

[20 April 2024 10:16 · Matt Mathers]

Date, times, route and how to watch race

The London Marathon returns in 2024 with another action-packed day of elite and charitable racing.

The annual road race in the English capital is again held in a traditional slot in April, with thousands entering the mass participation event and bidding to complete the 26.2-mile course.

Here is everything you need to know about when it starts, the route it will take and how to watch:

[20 April 2024 10:14 · Matt Mathers]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the London Marathon.

We’ll have all the build-up and action from the race, which gets underway tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned for the latest updates.