London Marathon 2018 results and winners: Eliud Kipchoge wins men's race as Vivian Cheruiyot claims victory in women's event

Eliud Kipchoge on the race track in 2018 London Marathon. [Photo: Courtesy]

Eliud Kipchoge claimed victory in the men's elite race at the London Marathon.

The Kenyan finished in 2:04.16 holding off the challenge of Sir Mo Farah and others as the Brit finished in a British record time.

Mo Farah on the floor after finishing the race. [Photo: Courtesy]

The 5,000m Olympic Champion Vivian Cheruiyot has won the 2018 London Marathon Elite Women’s race, beating compatriots Mary Keitany and Brigid Kosgei to the golden medal.

She finished within a time code two hours, 18 minutes and 30 seconds while the record in sight was 2: 15: 25.

Vivian Cheruiyot crossing the finish line to win the Elite Women's race. [Photo: Courtesy]

Cheruiyot, 34, took advantage of failed attempts by last year's winner Mary Keitany and runner-up Tirunesh Dibaba to break Paula Radcliffe's 15-year-old world record.

In stifling heat first Dibaba, of Ethiopia, and then Cheruiyot's fellow Kenyan Keitany dropped off the pace allowing the 2016 Olympic 5000m gold medalist to claim victory.

After nine miles Keitany and main rival Dibaba were 25 seconds ahead of Radcliffe's time. But Dibaba was soon reduced to a walking pace to leave Keitany with only her two male pacemakers for company.

Keitany, looking for a fourth win in London, also started to slow down as it became apparent Radcliffe's record of two hours 15 minutes 25 seconds would not be threatened.

Instead it was Cheruiyot who gave the pacemakers a shock by turning up on their heels, and she went on to win a tough race in 2:18.31.

Brigid Kosgei of Kenya was second with Tadelech Bekele of Ethiopia third.

Cheruiyot wins the race after having triumphed in the  Frankfurt race last year.