Kenya's Martin Lel set a new course record to win the London Marathon for the third time in four years.

Lel clocked 2:05:15 from Samuel Wanjiru, also of Kenya (2:05:24) and Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco (2:05:30).

Irina Mikitenko of Germany (2:24:14) sprung a surprise to win the separately run elite women’s race from Svetlana Zakharova of Russia (2:24:39) and Gete Wami (2:25:37) but a heavy fall at the 30k drink station effectively put paid to the Ethiopian’s challenge for victory.

The best performances from Kent athletes in the elite women’s race came from Ruth Briggs of Tunbridge Wells Harriers (28th, 2:50:20) and Claire Gibson of Cambridge Harriers (29th, 2:50:30), who were both well under the three hour barrier.

Just outside that threshold were W40 masters rivals Sharon Hawkins of Invicta East Kent (66th, 3:01:45) and Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood (78th, 3:03:56), with another W40 Tara Taylor of Tunbridge Wells Harriers (124th, 3:10:31) also enjoying a strong performance.

Peter Tucker of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers (25th, 2:23:12) was the leading Kent male in the mass race, where Barry Royden of Medway and Maidstone (2:37:55) drew on his experience to finish ahead of many younger rivals for 20th in the M40 masters’ category. Sub-three hour times were also recorded by Dan Evans (2:43:01), Ian Reid (2:44:56) and M40 Gareth Williams (2:48:47) of Medway and Maidstone.

Andrew Green of Dartford Road Runners ran a swift 2:36:09 for 119th overall and Steve Smythe of Dulwich Runners (2:43:40) celebrated his recent birthday to finish fourth M50 master.

Mickael Hegesippe (2:47:17) and Rob Rowland (2:49:06) were the fastest from the Paddock Wood stable with personal best times and there were further eye catching performances from Dave Thompson of Maidstone Harriers (2:57:57), Steve Throssell of Larkfield AC (2:59:33) and Steve Cable (2:53:43) and Mark Champion (2:56:05) of Istead and Ifield Harriers.