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
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
50,000 to take part in marathon
The ballot for next year’s TCS London Marathon opened on the eve of the 2024 event.
A world record 578,000 people entered the ballot for this year’s event, 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 Sunday with temperatures up to 12C.
Wheelchair and non-disabled athletes to get same prize moneyWheelchair 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.
‘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:
‘Hardest Geezer’ to run London Marathon and sets next long-distance target
Russ Cook said he planned to run the marathon on Sunday for charity despite only finishing his 352-day challenge on April 7
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:
London Marathon 2024 prize money: How much will the winners get?
The 2024 London Marathon will break new ground with its equal distribution of prize money
How can I enter next year’s race?
For those inspired or keen to experience the magic, you can apply for entry into next year’s race.
Here’s all you need to know about the ballot and how to get into next year’s London Marathon:
London Marathon ballot: How can I enter next year’s race?
Everything you need to know about entering the ballot for next year’s race
How science can help runners avoid hitting the wall
The 2024 TCS London Marathon is almost here with the 26.2-mile distance often feeling like a puzzle for runners to solve. While each training run can provide a different piece, most runners would be wise to consider how they will utilise fuel and hydration on the day, in order to fit the whole thing together.
Full report:
How science can help marathon runners avoid hitting the wall
Marathon runners often fall short due to insufficient fuel and hydration, but The Independent’s sports editor Jack Rathborn explains how science is now helping athletes combat the prospect of cramps and hitting the wall
ICYMI: Natalie Pinkham: ‘Why I’m running the London Marathon in memory of my mate, Caroline Flack’
The Sky Sports F1 presenter speaks to Kieran Jackson about her first marathon this Sunday and the work done in memory of her good friend Flack, who took her own life in 2020.
Read the full interview here.
ICYMI: Kenenisa Bekele says London Marathon field will be ‘remembering’ Kelvin Kiptum
Kelvin Kiptum will always hold a special place in the hearts of all marathon runners, according to veteran three-time Olympic track champion Kenenisa Bekele.
Kenyan long-distance runner Kiptum won last year’s London Marathon for the third time, but was killed in a car accident in February at the age of 24.
Full report:
Kenenisa Bekele says London Marathon field will be ‘remembering’ Kelvin Kiptum
Kenyan long-distance runner Kiptum won last year’s London Marathon for the third time, but was killed in a car accident in February at the age of 24.
ICYMI: Elite women’s field predicted to make London Marathon ‘harder to win’ than Paris Olympics
London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher is predicting a more competitive women’s race on Sunday than the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon later this year, and believes the women’s-only world record may fall.
The world’s fastest female marathoner Tigst Assefa headlines an elite field that features seven women who have run under two hours, 17 minutes and 30 seconds, including three of the top four fastest women ever.
Full report:
Elite women’s field makes London Marathon ‘harder to win’ than Paris Olympics
Tigst Assefa headlines a field that includes three of the four fastest female marathon runners in history
ICYMI: Emile Cairess hopes to qualify for Paris Olympics at London Marathon
Emile Cairess hopes he can follow training partner Phil Sesemann on the next step of their journey by also qualifying for the Olympics when he tackles the London Marathon again on Sunday.
Sesemann secured his place on the British squad for Paris after running inside the qualifying standard of two hours, eight minutes and four seconds at the Seville Marathon in February.
Full report:
Emile Cairess hopes to qualify for Paris Olympics at London Marathon
Cairess came sixth on his London Marathon debut last year, producing the best finish for a home athlete.
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