Jeptoo claims marathon title

Kenya’s Priscah Jeptoo went one better than her London 2012 Olympics silver by winning the Virgin London Marathon today.

The 28-year-old clocked two hours 20 minutes 15 seconds to win comfortably ahead of her fellow countrywoman Edna Kiplagat.

Japan’s Yikiko Akaby was a surpise third, with Olympic champion Tiki Gelana paying the price for a nasty fall.

The Ethiopean collided with wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy after 15 kilometres as she cut inside to get to a drinks station and paid the price later in the race.

American Tatyana McFadden claimed victory in the women's wheelchair race, just six days after winning the Boston Marathon.

She set a new course record with an unofficial time of 1hr 46.02secs to edge out compatriot Amanda McGrory.

Great Britain’s Shelly Woods, the defending champion, was fifth.

McFadden had said in the build-up to the race she would compete with the victims of the Boston bombings “in her heart”.

Preparations for today’s race were overshadowed by the attacks which killed three people and there was a moving 30 seconds’ silence ahead of the start of the elite men’s and mass races.

Security in the capital was beefed up to ensure the safety of spectators and athletes alike.

David Weir’s bid for a record seventh title ended in disappointment as he came home fifth.

The wheelchair racer, who banished any thoughts of retirement after his four gold medals at London 2012, had no answer to his rivals’ power off the final turn as Australia’s Kurt Fearnley claimed victory.

The 33-year-old, sporting a werewolf logo on his red helmet in homage to the ’Weirwolf’ nickname he was given at the Paralympics, came home in an unofficial time of one hour 31 minutes 31 seconds, two seconds adrift of Fearnley.

Switzerland’s Marcel Hug was second.

It means Weir is still level on six wins with Tanni Grey-Thompson.