RUNNING SMOOTHLY

London Marathon 2023: Elated runners & celebs cross the finish line as thousands take part in gruelling 26-mile course

ECO protesters failed to spoil the London Marathon today — as runners were shielded by a huge police presence.

Extra officers were on duty to thwart any trouble on the 26.2-mile course.

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Mo Farah charges off the start line at this year's London Marathon
Mo Farah charges off the start line at this year's London Marathon
Racing in his last ever London Marathon, Sir Mo Farah, 40, crossed the line in two hours ten minutes 28 secondsCredit: EPA
Eco yobs from Extinction Rebellion lurk in the crowd at WestminsterCredit: Reuters
Sniffer dogs scour Greenwich Park as marathon runners pile into LondonCredit: George Cracknell Wright
Kirsty Gallagher at the London Marathon todayCredit: Getty
A man in a firefighter uniform running the London MarathonCredit: Alamy Live News
Bake Off's Candice Brown was spotted at the start line ahead of the 26 mile exhaust-athon
Mark Wright finished the London Marathon alongside his brother JoshCredit: Will Ireland/PinPep

The event went off smoothly despite eco-activists Extinction Rebellion holding a four-day protest in Westminster.

The group agreed not to target the marathon.

Race bosses expected a record 48,000 runners to brave the rain.

Celebrities including Towie’s Mark Wright, Virgin Radio host Chris Evans and Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher took part.

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Radio 1 host Adele Roberts beat the London Marathon record for running with a stoma bag after getting the all-clear from bowel cancer.

She joked: “I can retire now.”

Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell led EastEnders team Bab’s Army, including Natalie Cassidy, Adam Woodyatt and Heather Peace.

It raised £50,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK.

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Heather, who plays Eve Unwin, said: “Considering the cost of living, it’s beyond our wildest expectations.”

Kelvin Kiptum, 23, won today's men's race in two hours one minute and 25 seconds, just 16 seconds outside the world record.

Meanwhile Dutch Sifan Hassan, 30, also produced a lung-busting run to win the women's race in a stellar two hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds.

Racing in his last ever London Marathon, Sir Mo Farah, 40, crossed the line in two hour, ten minutes 28 seconds.

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"It's going to be my last-ever marathon, and the end of my career really," Farah told BBC Sport before the starting gun.

The 10-time global track champion was joined by four of the five fastest marathon runners in history for the race.

Meanwhile, Mark Wright finished the London Marathon alongside his brother Josh.

They both recorded a time of three hours, 36 minutes and 53 seconds.

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And international rugby union stars Marcus Smith and Courtney Lawes were spotted handing out bottles of Lucozade to runners at Lucozade Sport's Mile 23.

Pictures from the race showed flag-waving eco nuts from Extinction Rebellion at Westminster.

The Metropolitan Police drafted extra officers into central London to tackle any potential threats.

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Wheelchair competitors hit the road at 9.15am while elite women and men started running at 9.25am and 10am respectively.

London Marathon 2023 results

Men's elite race results and times:

1st: Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) - 2hrs 01min 27sec
2nd: Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya) - 02:04:23
3rd: Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia) - 02:04:59
4th: Leul Gebresilase (Ethiopia) - 02:05:45
5th: Seifu Tura (Ethiopia) - 02:06:38
6th: Emile Cairess (Great Britain) - 02:08:07
7th: Brett Robinson (Australia) - 02:10:19
8th: Phil Sesemann (Great Britain) - 02:10:23
9th: Sir Mo Farah (Great Britain) - 02:10:28
10th: Chris Thompson (Great Britain) - 02:11:50

Women's elite race results and times:

1st: Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) - 2hrs 18min 33sec
2nd: Alemu Megertu (Ethiopia) - 02:18:37
3rd: Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya) - 02:18:36
4th: Sheila Chepkirui (Kenya) - 02:18:51
5th: Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) - 02:18:53
6th: Judith Jeptum Korir (Kenya) - 02:20:41
7th: Almaz Ayana (Ethiopia) - 02:20:44
8th: Tadu Teshome (Ethiopia) - 02:21:31
9th: Sofia Yaremchuk (Italy) - 02:24:02
10th: Susanna Sullivan (USA) - 02:24:27

One brave racer was spotted running in a dinosaur outfitCredit: George Cracknell Wright
Thousands of runners storm through London at this year's marathonCredit: Rex
Virgin Radio's Chris Evans gave a thumbs up and big grin as he prepared for the epic race
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The marathon coincided with four days of protests led by Extinction RebellionCredit: Rex
One runner wears a London Pride bitter costumeCredit: George Cracknell Wright
Elite runners charge over Tower Bridge as the London Marathon gets underwayCredit: PA
Starting in Blackheath, runners crossed Tower Bridge and snaked through Central London before finishing at Buckingham PalaceCredit: PA
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One race-goer donned a Thor outfit complete with a hammer for the race
The Metropolitan Police drafted extra officers into Central London to tackle any potential threatsCredit: Rex
Bright-eyed runners make their way to the start of the race in Greenwich ParkCredit: George Cracknell Wright
One lady gets in the fancy dress spirit as she dons a dress and robe on Blackheath CommonCredit: George Cracknell Wright
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Scores of cops line the road on Blackheath Common ahead of the raceCredit: George Cracknell Wright
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