MARY Keitany of Kenya set a new world record to win the women's London Marathon as Daniel Wanjiru took the men's race.

Britain's David Weir had earlier won a record seventh wheelchair title to clinch his first victory in London since 2012.

Keitany broke Paula Radcliffe's 12-year women's only marathon record after posting 2hr 17min 1sec for her third success in the event and said: "I want to say it was a great day for me. It was really amazing."

In the men's race, fellow Kenyan athlete Wanjiru held off the challenge of Kenenisa Bekele, who holds the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres world records as well as eight Olympic and world titles, to win in 2:05:48.

It was the biggest victory of his career, having previously won the 2016 Amsterdam Marathon, while Bedan Karoki was third.

"Yes, everything is possible," said Wanjiru when asked if he could break the world record.

"At the beginning the race was very fast, inside world record pace. As the race was very fast, anything can happen.

"It was becoming tougher and tougher. We pushed and the sun was coming up and the day was beautiful. I have tasted world record pace, which was good for me."

In the wheelchair race, Weir clinched victory in 1:31:06 after a sprint finish to beat defending champion Marcel Hug by just a second as he passed Tanni Grey-Thompson's six victories.

Weir, taking part for an 18th consecutive year, had also won the Paris Marathon earlier this month.