Purdue needs a huge finish here to get inside that 2:23.12...

It might just be out of reach as she has the finish line in sight.

Paula Radcliffe
Women's marathon world record holder on BBC TV

She judged it perfectly. She had the strength to turn the screw, not only maintain the pace but pick it up, through that drinks station around 35km.

Since then, she was hurting, but she will have been visualising this finish line.

She has crushed the opposition.

Image source, Reuters

Britain's Charlotte Purdue passes the 600m to go mark in 2:21.17. She is aiming to go under 2:23.12 seconds and be the second fastest British female in history.

Purdue was frustrated not to be selected for the Olympics but she has bounced back in impressive style.

Brigid Kosgei finished just outside the podium places.

The Kenyan had won the previous two London Marathons but after an impressive run to take silver at Tokyo 2020 not long ago, she doesn't have another win in her.

Joyciline Jepkosgei understandably looks pretty tired as she turns onto the Mall but she has a comfortable gap and all the cheers of the crowd are for the Kenyan as she crosses the line.

The clock reads 2:17.42 as she crosses the line, with Ethiopia's Degitu Azimeraw coming across second and compatriot Ashete Bekere third.

Purdue comes through 40km in 10th place in a time of 2:15.49. So impressive in this strong field.

Up front, Jepkosgei is within 600m of the finish line.

Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei is way out in front in the women's elite race now.

She crossed the 40km mark 14 seconds ahead of Ethiopia's Degitu Azimeraw.

Britain's Charlotte Purdue is still going strong and we'll bring you her time when she crosses that checkpoint soon.

Steve Cram
Athletics commentator on BBC TV

Phil Sesemann looks so relaxed! Appearances can be deceptive but he's looking so good, so composed. This could be a huge race for the Yorkshireman.

Paula Radcliffe
Women's marathon world record holder on BBC TV

Your first London Marathon is something you never, ever forget. For Phil Sesemann I think he's gone out there, enjoyed it, he attacked the race.

He tried to bide his time in the first half but he's really gone for it in this second half.

Kenya's Titus Ekiru was among the leaders in the men's race but has pulled out.

That leaves five in the leading group. Vincent Kipchumba, Birhanu Legese, Mosinet Geremew, Evans Chebet and Sisay Lemma.

Britain's Phil Sesemann is having a phenomenal run in seventh place and is on track to finish in around 2:10 on his debut. Oh, and it's his birthday!

Britain's Charlotte Purdue went through the 35km mark in 1:58.30.

She is in 12th place and is chasing down Ethiopia's Roza Dereje, who was one minute 24 seconds ahead when they crossed the checkpoint. Purdue is on track to finish in under 2:23 currently.

Up front, Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei is extending her lead as the others struggle to match her increase in pace.

Image source, Anthony Nolan

"It's crazy to think back that 12, 13 years ago it wasn't even looking like I was going to reach Christmas and here I am about to embark on 26 miles of running alongside the person who did save my life."

Thirteen years ago, Elliott Brock's bone marrow donation saved Vicky Lawrence's life.

Now a healthy 21-year-old, Vicky is running the marathon with Elliott to raise money for Anthony Nolan - the charity that brought them together.

Elliott expects the day to be "very emotional", while Vicky is predicting tears at the finish. You can read more about their story here.

Brigid Kosgei has fallen back slightly in the women's elite race.

Fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei pushed the pace and world record holder Kosgei has not managed to stay with the group, which has now spread out slightly.

Great conditions for the 40,000 runners out there today, as long as that wind doesn't become too troublesome...

Purdue passes Megertu!

She is four minutes and five seconds behind the leading group and is heading for a time around 2:22, making her the second fastest British female of all time across this distance.

Purdue is also looking for a qualifying time for the three big championships next year: worlds, Europeans and the Commonwealth Games.

The leaders of the elite women's race have picked up the pace again and defending champion Brigid Kosgei still features in the five-strong group.

Britain's Charlotte Purdue is still pushing the pace further back too. She is looking so strong. Purdue crossed the 30km mark in 13th and a time of 1:41.31 and she is chasing down Ethiopia's Alemu Megertu up ahead.

Elite British runner Josh Griffiths is going for a world record with his dad Nick for the fastest combined marathon time from a father and son.

Tommy and Eoin Hughes hold the current record of 4:59.22 and those two are also running this year, trying to better their time.

Wales' Griffiths clocked 2:13.11 in London last year so his dad will still have to get in under three hours.

"He’s running really well for a 52 year-old," Griffiths said.

"It’s not something I’m thinking about too much but it would be pretty awesome to have that record. If we both focus on our own races hopefully it will take care of itself."

Griffiths was 13th at the halfway point, covering that distance in 1:05.46 so he's on track to better his time from last year.

Image source, Getty Images