ATHLETICS: The 2017 London Marathon produced a scorching women's race with Kenya's Mary Keitany winning in 2:17:01 to set a new women only world record ahead of track legend Tirunesh Dibaba.
Australia were led by Rio 2016 Olympian Lisa Weightman who ran a personal best of 2:25:15 for fifth place and was the first non-African women to cross the line in the English capital.
Dual Olympian Jess Trengove was next in 2:27:01 finishing tenth with a new personal best ahead of fellow Australian runners Melanie Panayiotou (2:35:25) and debutant Casey Wood (2:39:27) rounding out the Australians in action.
Trengove’s results fulfiled her pre-race desire to better her personal best after a long period of notable training that followed what was a challenging 2016.
“London sure knows how to put on a good show, 40,000 participants in the marathon today and the city was buzzing,” Trengove said on social media.
“I’m really happy to come away with a PB, and am so stoked for my fellow Australians Lisa Weightman, Kurt Fearnley, Casey Wood and Michael Shelley.
“Thanks so much for the support out on the streets and from home, every cheer and message genuinely meant a lot. A special thank you to my coach Adam Didyk and my teammates for their incredible support here this week.”
In the men's race Kenyan Daniel Wanjiru took the win ahead of the great Kenenisa Bekele in 2:05:48, with two-time Olympian and Commonwealth champion Michael Shelley running 2:11:38 just outside his personal best.
Kurt Fearnley (NSW) was third in the wheelchair marathon behind victor and home town favourite David Weir (GBR).
Over in the Hamburg Marathon it was Brad Milosovic who posted a world championship's qualifier with a time just outside his best of 2:16:24.
