Lel and Zhou claim marathon victories

Updated 22.55 Sun Apr 22 2007

Keywords: Chunxiu Zhou, Martin Lel, marathon, London Marathon, athletics, sport

Martin Lel and Chunxiu Zhou have won the men's and women's London Marathon races.

Kenyan Lel clinched victory in the men's event for the second time in three years, sprinting away from rivals Abderrahim Goumri and defending champion Felix Limo in the last 300 metres.

"Maybe it was something I drank" - Haile Gebrselassie

Lel clocked an impressive time of 2:07.41 in soaring temperatures.

Legendary long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie pulled out before he reached the 20-mile mark.

The Ethiopian could not explain his early exit. He said: "I just don't know. Maybe it was something I drank."

In the women's race, Zhou broke away from the leading group three miles from the end of the course to clinch victory in 2:20.38 and she becomes the first Chinese winner of the race.

Mara Yamauchi was the leading British athlete in sixth place.