London Marathon 2016: Eliud Kipchoge wins men's race in a new course record

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge produced a stunning performance to win the men's elite race at the 2016 London marathon, taking the historic title in a new course record of two hours three minutes and five seconds. The 31-year-old delivered a personal best time and one of the fastest in history to seal a spectacular triumph ahead of his countryman Stanley Biwott.

Kipchoge, who missed the world record by just eight seconds, recorded his sixth victory in seven marathons to cement his status as one of the favourites to win Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro later this year. The Kenyan maintained a relentless pace throughout the race and appeared on course to beat the world record time of Dennis Kipruto Kimetto. And although his foot speed slowed fractionally in the closing stages of the race, Kipchoge still delivered a career-best performance in front of a passionate crowd in London.

The women's race was won by Kenya's Jemima Sumgong, who saw off the challenge of bigger-name competitors to win in a time of two hours 22 minutes and 58 seconds. The 31-year-old – who will also now be among the favourites to win the gold medal at the Olympics in Rio – fell at a water station around 30 minutes from the finish line, but recovered her composure to record the biggest win of her career.

Sumgong went head-to-head against Etihiopia's Tigist Tufa in the closing stages of the race, but produced a storming finish to write her name into the history books. Tufa, the 2015 champion, finished five seconds behind in second, with Kenya's Florence Kiplagat in third.

Meanwhile, Switzerland's Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race in a time of one hour 35 minutes 19 seconds, with Britain's Paralympic champion David Weir coming home in third. The 30-year-old won the Boston marathon earlier this month and claimed his second title in the UK capital in style, overcoming the challenge of Australian Kurt Fearnley and six-time London winner Weir in a dramatic sprint finish on The Mall.

In the women's wheelchair race, Tatyana McFadden of the USA claimed the coveted title for the fourth time in her career, winning in a time of one hour 44 minutes and 14 seconds. The Paralympic gold medallist, who is also the Boston champion, finished a mere one second ahead of Switzerland's Manuela Schar.