2:04:44 and 2:18:37 - Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany made Double Kenyan victories in London Marathon

L->R : Kiplagat, Lel, Keitany, HRH Prince Harry, Kipsang, Jeptoo, Kebede

World's 4th fastest marathon runner (Boston included) (2:03:42 Frankfurt 2011) Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and compatriot defending champion Mary Keitany won the 2012 Virgin London Marathon titles today.

Kipsang, on  his London debut,  clocked 2:04:44 which was only 4 seconds slower than the course record set by countryman Emmanuel Mutai last year whilst Keitany successfully defended her title in a remarkable time of 2:18:37 breaking the national record by a minute as well as the 11-year old African record of 2:18:47 hold by compatriot Catherine Ndereba and making her the 3rd fastest female marathon runner all time behind Paula Radcliffe (GBR) (2:15:25) and Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) (2:18:20)

 Those impressive times should assure both a ticket each to the London Olympics in 16 weeks time although final decision has not been officially announced by Athletics-Kenya yet.

Kenya also dominated the women's race by winning all the top 5 podium spots.

3-time London champions Martin Lel also from Kenya finished 2nd in  2:06:51 beating Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia to 3rd place by a mere second.

Among the top Kenyan contenders in an impressive field of elite starters, defending champion Emmanuel Mutai finished a disappointing 7th in 2:08:01, his worst performance in London appearance, double world champion Abel Kirui finished 6th in 2:07:56 and world record holder Patrick Makau had a bad day too when he dropped out after 16km due to a hamstring injury.

Results of top finishers:
Men
1) 2:04:44 - Wilson Kipsang (KEN)
2) 2:06:51 - Martin Lel (KEN)
3) 2:06:52 - Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 
4) 2:07:43 (PB) - Edil Ennani (MAR)
5) 2:07:44 - Jaouad Gharib (MAR)
6) 2:07:56 - Abel Kirui (KEN)
7) 2:08:01 - Emmanuel Mutai (KEN)
8) 2:08:03 - Marilson Gomes Dos Santos (BRA)


Women
1) 2:18:37 (PB) (NR) (AR) (WL) - Mary Keitany (KEN)
2)  2:19:50 (PB) - Edna Kiplagat (KEN)
3) 2:20:14 (PB) -   Priscah Jeptoo (KEN)
4) 2:20:57 - Florence Kiplagat (KEN)
5) 2:20:57 - Lucy Kabuu (KEN)

Some statistics about Virgin London Marathon:
An IAAF Gold Label Road Race
Course records:
Men : 2:04:40 - Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2011   
Women : 2:15:25 (WR) - Paula Radcliffe (GBR) 2003
Entries : appr. 50,000
Prize Money : USD55,000
Total prize money (without time bonuses) : USD295,000