Brigid Kosgei cruises to London Marathon win in the rain

Kenyan world record holder Kosgei clocks two hours, 18.58 minutes to clinch victory; U.S.’s Sara Hall finishes second.

Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei celebrates after winning the elite women’s race of the London Marathon.

Kenyan world record holder Brigid Kosgei cruised to a dominant victory in the London Marathon on Sunday, overcoming her rivals on an unfamiliar multi-lap course in relentless rain to triumph in two hours, 18.58 minutes.

Running her first marathon since setting the world record of 2:14.04 in Chicago a year ago, Kosgei ran alongside compatriot Ruth Chepngetich until around the 20-mile mark, when she forged clear to open a lead of about 50 metres within a couple of minutes.

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She then ran strongly for the rest of the race, looking comfortable, with American Sara Hall producing an incredible finish to snatch second place from world champion Chepngetich in 2:22.01 to the Kenyan's 2:22.05.

The race, originally postponed from April because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was run over 19.8 laps of a fenced-off course in a “controlled secure biosphere” around St James's Park, with the finish line in its traditional place on The Mall.

Eliud Kipchoge is the red-hot favourite to win the men’s race on the same course later on Sunday.