Mutai wins London Marathon in course-record time

[April 18, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Emmanuel Mutai ran a course record at the London Marathon in leading Kenyans to the top three places Sunday, and compatriot Mary Keitany captured the women's race in her first attempt at the distance.

Mutai broke away at the 21-mile mark and finished the 26.2 miles in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 40 seconds -- the fourth fastest marathon ever. He shattered the course record of 2:05:10 that Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru set in 2009.

"My dreams have come true because I had in my mind that of the five major marathons if I won one my achievement would have been greater," Mutai said. "My aim was to win the race, not to focus on the time. ... I tried my best to push it until the end. It is fantastic because I created two achievements -- I won the race and I improved my personal best."

Three-time champion Martin Lel was second in 2:05:45 after beating Patrick Makau in a sprint in front of Buckingham Palace.

Lel has been troubled by hip and leg injuries, and it was his first London Marathon since winning his third title in 2008. He only received an invitation to compete after a knee injury forced Wanjiru to withdraw.

"After two years away it was important for me to have a good race here," Lel said. "When (Mutai) left me, I wanted to go with him and I tried but he was too good for me today. I am happy with the second place because I am building up my race fitness again."

Mutai and Keitany emulated the Kenyan double in London from 2004, with Keitany becoming the fourth women's winner from her country.

Like Mutai, the 29-year-old Keitany ran the fourth fastest marathon by a woman by finishing her London debut in 2:19:19.

After breaking away after the 15-mile mark, she was almost a minute ahead of defending champion Liliya Shobukhova, who ran a personal best of 2:20:15.

Keitany's fellow Kenyan Edna Kiplagat, who was also competing in the English capital for the first time Sunday, finished third with a personal best 2:20:46.

Keitany was almost 10 minutes faster than her third-place performance in New York last November.

"I was a bit scared at first, but then we continued moving I believed in myself that I would make this," Keitany said. "I feel very happy."

[Associated Press; By ROB HARRIS]

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