Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe produced a blistering performance to beat a star-studded field and win the men’s London marathon in a time of 2hr 02min 27 seconds.

The 29-year-old, who won the Valencia marathon last December, came home alone in blazing sunshine ahead of Uganda’s world half marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo.

Defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao edged Abdi Nageeye for third in a photo finish while four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth.

In the women’s marathon, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa made up for her second spot last year to coast home in the in a world record time of 2hr 15min 50 seconds on Sunday.

The 28-year-old finished well clear of Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei whilst Sifan Hassan, who edged Assefa for Olympic gold in Paris last year, was third.

Assefa, Jepkosgei and Hassan, who gained 10 kilos on taking a four-month break following her win in Paris, dominated the race from the outset.

However, Hassan, 32, dropped off the lead group of four which was setting a red hot pace — on course at the time for 2hr 12min, a minute faster than her own personal best — and found herself around 20 metres adrift of them.

Hassan then rejoined the group but was dropped again and trailed Assefa and Jepkosgei, along with the final pacemaker, at the halfway mark at Tower Bridge.