Yalemzerf Yehualaw wins the women's race at the London Marathon 2022 in a time of 2:17:26.[Twitter]

Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw on Sunday afternoon won the women's London Marathon ahead of Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei.

In the absence of world record holder and twice London Marathon champion Brigid Kosgei, who withdrew due to a hamstring injury, the 23 year-old broke from the leading group with 2km remaining as she surged ahead in a more composed way crossing the finish line in her second best time of 2:17.26 .

Earlier, Yehualaw recovered from a fall to rejoin the leading pack.

Defending champion Joyciline Jepkosgei was forced to settle in second as she crossed the finish line a time of 2:18.06.

Ethiopia's Megertu Alemu finished third with a Personal Best (PB) of 2:18:32.

This year's race is taking place in October for the third and final time, after it was moved in 2020 due to COVID-19.

It will return to its traditional April date next year.

The top nine women's finishers

Yalemzerf Yehualaw 2:17:26
Joyciline Jepkosgei 2:18:07
Alemu Megertu 2:18:32
Judith Korir 2:18:43
Joan Chelimo Melly 2:19:27
Ashete Bekere 2:19:30
Mary Ngugi 2:20:22
Sutume Asefa Kebede 2:20:44
Ai Hosoda 2:21:42