London Marathon: Tsegaye Kebede wins men’s race

A file photo of Ethiopian runner Tsegaye Kebede.

Tsegaye Kebede won the London Marathon for the second time on Sunday amid enhanced security in the first major race since the twin bombings in Boston.

The Ethiopian chased down Emmanuel Mutai, and overtook the tiring Kenyan in the closing stages to cross the line first in front of Buckingham Palace.

Kebede, who like most competitors wore a black ribbon in honour of the Boston victims, clocked 2 hours, 6 minutes and 15 seconds to emulate his 2010 triumph in London.

The victory in the British capital came after Kebede was denied a shot at glory here at the Olympics last year after being overlooked by Ethiopian selectors. Kebede’s compatriot Ayele Abshero was third.

The women’s race saw the Olympic silver medallist go one better in the annual London race.

The Kenyan runner

>Priscah Jeptoo cruised over the line in 2-20-15 seconds, the fastest time this year, ahead of compatriot Edna Kiplagat, while Yukiko Akaba of Japan was third.

It was a miserable day for Olympic champion Tiki Gelana, who finished 16th after seeing her hopes thwarted by a collision about a third of the way in.

The Ethiopian collided with wheelchair racer Josh Cassidy as she went to get a drink.

In bright London sunshine thousands of people lined the route, reassured by the increased presence of police officers after Monday’s bombings near to the finish line in Boston.

Tatyana McFadden, who won the wheelchair race in Boston just before the explosions that killed three people, shrugged off security concerns in London to win her second title in a week.