World record holder Eliud Kipchoge failed to maintain his title as London Marathon world record holder. Ethopian Shura Kitata won the race, ending the dominance of the Kenyan on the course.
Four-time winner Kipchoge was the favourite, but fell behind with two laps to go and finished eighth.
After 25 kilometers my ear blocked and it couldn't open anymore. But this is how sport is, we should accept defeat and focus for the winning next time.
Thanks for the support. pic.twitter.com/No1Kcyizco
— Eliud Kipchoge – EGH🇰🇪 (@EliudKipchoge) October 4, 2020
Kitata pushed ahead of Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba on the home straight to finish in two hours five minutes and 41 seconds.
Brigid Kosgei, who holds the women’s world record, defended her title.
Kosgei, 26, went clear of world champion Ruth Chepngetich after mile 18 and finished in 2:18.58, three minutes and three seconds ahead of American Sara Hall.
She was almost five minutes outside her world record set in Chicago last year.