Russian triumph at London marathon

Shobukhova led home Inga Abitova in what was only the third marathon of her career.

The 32-year-old became the first Russian woman to triumph in London after leading for much of the race. She crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 22 minutes to add to her victory in Chicago last October.

"The pace was easy. I felt comfortable running at the front and decided to push in the second half to break up the pack. It is my third marathon and my second win. Now I want to win the Olympics," Lilia Shobukhova told the event’s official website.

Ethiopia's Asselefech Mergia took bronze.

Tsegaye Kebede secured Ethiopia another medal in the men’s, winning gold in a time of 2 hours, 5 minutes.

It was an all-African podium, with Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya and Morocco's Jaouad Gharib rounding out the gongs.

The London Marathon is one of the top five in the world, together with events held in New York, Boston, Berlin and Chicago.