Kenyan athletes Peres Jepchirchir and Alexander Mutiso are set to pocket millions of shillings after emerging victorious in the London Marathon.
Jepchirchir stormed to victory in a women’s only world-record time of two hours 16 minutes and 16 seconds.
World record holder Tigst Assefa, Megertu Alemu, also of Ethiopia, and Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei also beat the previous women’s only record of 2:17:01, set by Mary Keitany in 2017.
Mutiso held off distance-running great Kenenisa Bekele to win the men’s race in 2:04:01.
The British duo of Emile Cairess and Mahamed Mahamed finished third and fourth.
Cairess’ time of 2:06:46 makes him the second-fastest British man of all time over the distance and the first to finish on the podium since Mo Farah in 2018.
The prize money for the elite race in the 2024 London Marathon is capped at 7,342,500 for the gold winner. This means both Jepchirchir and Mutiso will pocket the amount.
Jepchichir will however pocket an extra Sh16.7m for breaking the record.
She will also receive Sh5 million from the Kenya government, as per the directive given by President William Ruto for every athlete breaking the world record.
The runners-up in the elite race will pocket Sh4,005,000 while the bronze winner will cash in Sh3,003,750
London Marathon results:
Men
1. Alexander Mutiso (Ken) - 2:04:01
2. Kenenisa Bekele (Eth) - 2:04:15
3. Emile Cairess (GB) - 2:06:46
4. Mahamed Mahamed (GB) - 2:07:05
Women
1. Peres Jepchirchir (Ken) - 2:16:16
2. Tigst Assefa (Eth) - 2:16:23
3. Joyciline Jepkosgei (Ken) - 2:16:24
4. Mergutu Alemu (Eth) - 2:16:34
