Kipchoge wins London Marathon men's race

Kipchoge, a former world champion at 5,000 metres, and Kipsang broke clear in the closing stages after a blistering race but it was Kipchoge who finished with a decisive burst of speed to win in 2:04.42.

Kipsang clocked 2:04.47 and Kimetto 2:05.50 after he failed to live with the late break of the leading pair.

Labelled the 'clash of the champions' by organisers, Sunday's race -- headlined by Kenyans Kipsang, Kimetto, Emmanuel Mutai and Stanley Biwott -- pitted eight sub-2:05 runners and five of the all-time top-10 in one of the fastest fields ever assembled.

While much of the attention was focused on world record holder Dennis Kimetto, defending champion Wilson Kipsang and Stanley Biwott, it was the powerful Kipchoge whose impeccable timing won the day.

As the four Kenyans sped along the banks of the River Thames at a searing pace, Kipchoge broke from the front and only Kipsang was able to maintain contact.

The pair ran side by side until, in the shadow of Big Ben, Kipchoge made his move.

The former 5,000 metres world champion burst clear and later said his plan had been to keep in touch with the big guns and utilise his explosive kick in the closing stages.

"With five kilometres to go there were still five guys left but the race was good and I felt comfortable," Kipchoge told reporters. "My training paid off and the race went to plan.

"To only have 500 metres to go and be next to someone like Kipsang shows this is a major competition. The crowd were wonderful and they lifted me for my sprint finish."

Kipchoge seared home in 2:04.42 while compatriot Kipsang clocked 2:04.47 as Kimetto finished third in 2:05.50.

Twice winner Kipsang surprisingly labelled Kipchoge as more experienced.

"Before you decided to break you need the right combination of mind and body," Kipsang said.

"You need enough energy and power to break away from the guys and speed up.

"For races like this it is dependent on how prepared and experienced you are. Me and Dennis have run fast times but Eliud has more experience than us therefore he won."

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In the women's race Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa was the surprise winner after her powerful late break saw her cruise home 18 seconds clear of Kenyan Mary Keitany.

After a tentative race Tufa broke clear in the closing miles and sauntered down the Mall, waving to the crowd, to clock two hours, 23 minutes, 22 seconds, followed by Keitany (2:23.40) and Ethiopian Tirfi Tsegaye (2:23.41).

The race was expected to be dominated by Kenya's 'fantastic four' of Keitany, Edna and Florence Kiplagat and Priscah Jeptoo but they struggled in blustery conditions around the twisting London streets.

Despite the stellar field the race was a cagey affair and with many of the leading names refusing to make a break it was Tufa who finished best with a dominant late burst.

Paula Radcliffe was racing for the final time and crossed the line in 2:36.55