With the clock rapidly running out on the spring marathon majors season, Sunday's London Marathon picked up where Boston left off just a week prior — and a stacked field of elites helped put a pause on long distance until the fall.
Tigst Assefa shattered the women-only world record in 2:15:50 but 41 other records were broken as some participants in the general race field crossed the line in creative costumes — typical for London — ranging from animal ensembles to elaborate outfits resembling landmarks.
The majors make way for a busy outdoor track and field campaign and pop back into the picture as Sydney makes its debut in August as a race newly elevated to the main stage.
Still, London did not disappoint, as Assefa was joined by standouts like Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:18:44) and Sifan Hassan (2:19:00) in the women's race as Sabastian Sawe (2:02:27) dominated the men's field while Jacob Kiplimo (2:03:37) and Alexander Mutiso Munyao (2:04:20) all ensured that the landscape of the elite marathon is stronger than ever.
