LONDON — Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya pulled away late to win the London Marathon women’s race on Sunday and cement her status as the favorite to defend her gold in Paris.

Jepchirchir had by far the strongest finish as she easily left world-record holder Tigst Assefa and two other rivals behind to sprint alone down the final stretch in front of Buckingham Palace. 

She finished in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds, with Assefa in second and Joyciline Jepkosgei in third.

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<figcaption>Peres Jepchirchir won the London Marathon in in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds. <span class="credit">Getty Images</span></figcaption>

That was more than 4 minutes slower than Assefa’s world record set in Berlin last year, but it was the fastest time ever in a women-only marathon, beating the mark of 2:17:01 set by Mary Keitany in London in 2017. 

The elite women’s field in London starts about 30 minutes ahead of the elite men.

Peres Jepchirchir finished in 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds, with Tigst Assefa in second and Joyciline Jepkosgei in third.{ai:summary}<p>Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir dominates the London Marathon, winning in record time and solidifying her position as the one to beat in Paris. #sports</p>

Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir takes home London Marathon win before Paris games

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