Russian triumph at London marathon

Published time: 26 Apr, 2010 07:56 Edited time: 26 Apr, 2010 12:19

Russia has completed its first ever one-two finish at the London Marathon on Sunday, with Lilia Shobukhova the woman rewriting the history books on the 30th anniversary of the legendary event.

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.