Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa charges over the line to take victory.

She has broken the women's-only world record but Paula Radcliffe's women's course record - set with male pacemakers - stands for another year at least.

Image source, Getty Images

This is going to be tight.

Paula Radcliffe might be OK...

The women's only world record, set by Peres Jepchirchir here last year, is going to go.

Tigst Assefa has around 500m to go.

She is about to turn for home on The Mall.

Paula Radcliffe
Former women's marathon world record holder on BBC One

She knows the victory is sewn up but she will no doubt now be looking at her watch hoping that the record is broken.

It's all about the clock now for Tigst Assefa.

She has a minute lead over Joyciline Jepkosgei.

Can she break Paula Radcliffe's record?

Jess Warren
BBC journalist

Jamie Salmon and her partner are running for Kidney Care UK today as a thank you for the support they’ve been given for their two-year-old son.

“He got normal stomach bug which turned into a very rare disease HUS which damaged his kidneys,” she told BBC London.

“We ended up spending 30 days at Great Ormond St Hospital, he had to receive blood transfusions dialysis, he will be on lifelong medication and he has since been diagnosed with stage two kidney disease.

“The ward he was treated on at GOSH was funded by Kidney Care so it means so much to both of us. We have done great with our fundraising so far and hopefully we can get a bit more in the bag.

"We had a target of £5,000 and we are at £13,500 now so we are over the moon.”

Paula Radcliffe is getting twitchy on comms.

Tigst Assefa is putting her course record under threat with less than 10 minutes to go.

2:15:25 is the time to beat for that. The women's-only world record (2:16:16) definitely looks set to go.

Paula Radcliffe
Former women's marathon world record holder on BBC One

Tigst Assefa is away! We saw her checking her watch and he knew she couldn't let her pace drop off too much so she's decided it's now or never.

She's building up enough speed so that a sprint finish shouldn't be needed to cross the line.

She just needs to maintain this.

And we have similar ahead in the women's race.

Tigst Assefa, the Ethiopian former world record holder, looks to have broken her sole rival at the front.

She has moved clear as she chases victory here, having come second in London and the Olympics last year.

We haven't said much about Sabastian Sawe today but the 30-year-old Kenyan has put his front down at the front of the men's race.

He saw an opportunity as the others slowed at a drinks station and has built himself a decent lead.

He only made his marathon debut in December but won on the streets of Valencia.

BBC One

Model Kelly Brook speaking to BBC One live whilst running: "It's incredible. We are 8k in and the atmosphere is insane. It's really hot so we are trying to stay hydrated.

"It's just amazing. It's like the best of humanity coming together for the most amazing causes and reasons."

Ah.

The great Eliud Kipchoge is just starting to lose ground at the front of the men's race.

The 40-year-old has kept with the pace for 90 minutes in what many are calling the greatest field this race has ever seen.

Tigst Assefa and Joyciline Jepkosgei are slowing but are still looking well enough to have a little chat with each other.

They're borderline on that women's only world record.

Paula Radcliffe
Former women's marathon world record holder on BBC One

Assefa and Jepkosegi are starting, inevitably, to slow. The whole field is undoubtedly slowing. That means the gap is probably widening between them and Hassan.

The fast start is starting to bite.

The women's race is closing on the 22-mile point now.

Tigst Assefa, the former world record holder, and Joyciline Jepkosgei remain alone at the front.

2023 winner and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan is third but is now two minutes behind.

Imogen James
Live reporter

Years of volunteering for charity Mencap have led Rory Riddoch, 24, to running the London Marathon.

Mencap helps support people living with learning difficulties, and Riddoch spent years with the charity in various roles until 2024, when he moved from London to Aberdeen.

This is a way for him to continue to help them, and he already feels “fulfilled” that he’s reached his fundraising goal.

Despite being a keen runner, this will be his first marathon, and the run up to it hasn’t been easy as Riddoch has been plagued by knee issues.

He’s pushing on though, and is “nervously excited” for today.

“Thinking about the pints at the end” will get him through, he says.

But on a more serious level, thinking about “seeing my family, making my friends and family proud of pulling it off” will be driving him.

“It’s safe to say it’s been an emotional rollercoaster,” he adds.

We’ll see you at the finish Rory, good luck!

Emma Middleton
BBC Sport Ask Me Anything

For various reasons.

Some athletes will use pacing as a stepping stone to racing the London Marathon in future. Eilish McColgan paced at the London Marathon in 2020 and 2021, before making her debut this year.

For others, it’s great for their profile, potentially being at the front of the race for a period of time.

There’s also a financial incentive. Pacers get a fee for being part of the London Marathon pacing team.

Steve Cram
Athletics commentator on BBC TV

There was a bit of a fight for bottles there in the men's pack.

And it's key at this stage of the race that you don't miss the fuelling station.