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Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya set a new world record for a women-only marathon event at the London Marathon on Sunday, April 21, achieving a dual triumph by putting herself in pole position to defend her Olympic title. Jepchirchir delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing a commanding finish and outpacing her competitors to cross the finish line on The Mall with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 16 seconds.

This remarkable feat not only earned her victory but also shattered the previous women-only marathon world record of 2:17:01, set by Mary Keitany in 2017 at the same event. The women’s elite race in London traditionally starts ahead of the men's field, giving the women their own separate contest.

For Jepchirchir, this victory is likely to secure her selection for Kenya’s Olympic marathon team for the upcoming Paris Games. Her performance exceeded her own expectations, with her focus on Olympic preparation rather than record-breaking runs. This win marks a significant comeback for her after a third-place finish in the previous year's London Marathon.

Jepchirchir's confidence will undoubtedly be fortified by her late sprint to victory, a tactic she believes gives her an edge in the closing stages of a race.

Complementing her success was fellow Kenyan Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who claimed victory in the men's race with a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 1 second. The day was particularly poignant as the London Marathon also commemorated Kelvin Kiptum, last year’s champion from Kenya who tragically passed away in a car accident in February at the age of 24.