ifan Hassan was a surprise winner of the London Marathon’s women’s race on her debut over the distance.
The Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete’s victory was all the more remarkable because she fell way off the pace, clutching her hip, around the 15-mile mark.
But Hassan, who is the 5,000 and 10,000 metres Olympic champion, reeled in the leaders with three miles to go.
Meanwhile, four-time Olympic track champion Mo Farah is running his final marathon in London ahead of his retirment.
A record 45,000 people are taking part in this year’s London Marathon.
Organisers are braced for protests by eco-activists as the race gets underway amid a huge demonstration by Extinction Rebellion and other groups.
The four day protest called “The Big One” is expected to attract around 50,000 people on Sunday.
Extinction Rebellion have said they do not plan to disrupt the race, but hardliners Just Stop Oil have refused to rule out action.
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Kelvin Kiptum wins men’s race with second fastest marathon time in history
Pictured: Sifan Hassan crosses the finish line to win the women’s race
Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan emerges as surprise winner of women’s elite race
Sifan Hassan was a surprise winner of the women’s elite race in what was her marathon debut.
The Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete’s victory was all the more remarkable because she fell way off the pace, clutching her hip, around the 15-mile mark.
But Hassan, who is the 5,000m and 10,000m Olympic champion, reeled in the leaders with three miles to go.
The 30-year-old then survived making a mess of collecting a drink from a water station, but recovered again and even offered rival Yalemzerf Yehualaw, last year’s winner, a swig from her bottle.
Being a track athlete gave Hassan a distinct advantage in a sprint finish and she pulled away from Alemu Megertu and Peres Jepchirchir down The Mall, coming home in 2:18.33.
Sir Mo Farah reaches the Isle of Dogs during the Men’s elite race
Sifan Hassan wins women’s elite race
Marcel Hug (winner), Jetze Plat (Second) and Tomoki Suzuki (Third) after the Men’s Wheelchair race
Pictured: Madison de Rozario celebrates after winning women’s wheelchair race
Former TOWIE star Mark Wright at the start line
Mark Wright and his family have set off in the London Marathon.
Mark is running his second London Marathon and has even roped in his brother Josh and parents, Big Mark and Carol, to help him over the 26.2 miles.
He said: “I am feeling excited. I’m a little bit nervous, I’m nervous for my mum and dad, but at the same time it’s an emotional day. All four of us family members are doing it together, the London marathon – what a time.”
Mark Wright and family at the start line of the TCS London Marathon, running as part of Flora’s Making Healthy Switches Campaign
/ Flora
