London Marathon 2020 – Brigid Kosgei wins women’s race! | Sport

“The weather is not good,” Kosgei tells Gabby Logan on the BBC. “We haven’t had much time to prepare … I had some struggles out there.” She adds that she hopes to come back next year and defend her title. Priority No 1 will be getting off the Mall – she looks absolutely freezing.

In the battle to be the highest-placed British finisher, Natasha Cockram has battled back to overtake Naomi Mitchell. She leads by around 10 seconds round the final bend, finishing in a time of just over 2hr 33min.

Kosgei’s winning time was two hours, 18 minutes and 28 seconds. That’s some four minutes off her world-record time, set in Chicago last year – but given the lack of big-race preparation and weather conditions today, that’s no real surprise.

With the finish line in sight, Chepngetich has nothing left in the tank – and she’s left flat-footed when Hall kicks on again, sprinting clear of the Kenyan on the home straight! Hall finishes second, Chepngetich settles for third.

What a late burst this is from Sara Hall – pain etched on her face, she finally gets beyond Bekere in the final mile, and is closing on Chepngetich …

The Kenyan repeats her 2019 success, and will finish more than two minutes clear of the tiring Chepngetich.

One lap to go! Kosgei is onto the final lap. Chepngetich won’t catch her, and is more concerned with keeping clear of Bekere and Hall behind her.

Brigid Kosgei has pulled away from Chepngetich, and now leads by a minute. In the battle for third, US runner Sara Hall is closing in on Ashere Bekere, the Ethiopian who won last year’s Berlin marathon.

With five laps to go, Brigid Kosgei has left her compatriot behind and moved into the solo lead. Further back, Naomi Mitchell has passed Natasha Cockram to become the leading British runner on the road; she’s on track for a personal best. Times recorded today will also count towards qualifying for next year’s Olympics in Tokyo.

The women’s race has already passed the halfway point with last year’s winner, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei joined by Ruth Chepngetich at the front.

There are a group of three chasers within their sight as they make their way down the Mall, away from Buckingham Palace, while further back, several stragglers have already suffered the unusual indignity of being lapped in a marathon.

Hello and welcome to rolling coverage of what will be a very different London Marathon. There are no amateur runners and no spectators, with the elite athletes instead running laps around St James’s Park. Thousands of people around the country, and indeed the world, are competing in virtual races as the main event takes place.

The women’s race is already under way, having begun at a sobering 7.15am BST. We’ll keep you updated on all the race news from the capital; if you’re taking part or just watching on, do get in touch.