Emile Cairess ran the second fastest time ever by a Brit to finish an impressive third in the TCS London Marathon.
And the emotional Yorkshireman dedicated his 2:06:46 on a windy morning in the capital to a young cousin who has recently come out of a coma following a car accident.
Cairess, securing his place on GB Olympic team, climbed five places in the final three kilometres to claim a spot on the podium, behind Kenya’s Alexander Munyao and Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele.
The 26-year-old said he had “no idea” he was in third until 200m from the end and he was followed closely by Southampton's Mahamed Mahamed, who looks set to fill the third and final spot on the train to Paris after running 2:07:05.
And a “proud” Cairess explained how he was motivated by the story of Oliver Burton, 22, who suffered serious injuries following a crash a couple of months ago.
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“He’s like a little brother to me,” Cairess said. “A couple of months ago he was in a bad accident and was in a coma for about a month. He's just come out of ICU not long ago, a few days ago. They finally moved him to a different ward. It was so stressful, touch and go at some points, but he's made a good recovery so far.
“It's been tough. This morning I was really emotional. I've not experienced anything like that before and I hope not to experience anything like it in the future.”
Winners of the men's and women's races, Kenya's Alexander Mutiso Munyao (L) and Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir (R) pose with their awards (AFP via Getty Images)Cairess said there were moments during the race where Oliver’s plight was on his mind. He added: “I tried not to think about it too much because it makes me really emotional. You need to keep a level head in the marathon.
“When it came into my head it gave me a little bit of a boost but I didn't want to get overly emotional and let it affect the race.”
Mahamed shaved 95 seconds off his previous best in fourth and revealed that he spent weeks waking up to train at 4am so he could observe Ramadan. “It changed everything about my routine: training, sleeping and nutrition,” he said. “I would train before the sunset, and if I was doing another session I would do it at almost midnight.
“I would get up at 4am to eat before training. And in the evening then I would eat at 7pm, rest for a bit, and go for a run.”
Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir ran a women’s-only world record 2:16:16 after a pack of four reached the final kilometre bunched together.
But the Olympic champion broke clear of mixed record holder Tigist Assefa, who finished seven seconds behind, and compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei in third. Megertu Alemu was next best.
Dave Lock as he runs the London Marathon 2024All four eclipsed the previous record for a women’s-only race, the 2:17:01 set by Mary Keitany seven years ago. “I was not expecting to run the time I ran today,” Jepchirchir said. “My aim was to run well for selection for the Olympic team.” Debutant Mhairi Maclennan was the top British female in a solid time of 2:29:05.
In his 25th London Marathon, David Weir came third in the men’s wheelchair race, which was won by Marcel Hug. It was the Swiss’ sixth London win and fourth in a row. Catherine Debrunner won the women’s event.
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More than 53,000 runners were expected to finish the 44th London race, raising a record amount for charity that organisers hope will reach £70m.
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