Irina Mikitenko today won the women’s race in the Flora London Marathon.
The Kazakhstan-born athlete, who runs for Germany, broke away in the 24th mile to win in an unofficial time of two hours 24 minutes 12 seconds.
Mikitenko’s powerful burst broke the spirit of Russia’s Svetlana Zakharova – a two-time London runner-up – and Gete Wami.
Wami, the pre-race favourite from Ethiopia, suffered a heavy fall at a feeding station just before 30 kilometres but made a remarkable recovery to claim third place.