Mary Keitany lived up to the promise she had shown at the half-marathon distance and finally cracked the full 26.2-mile distance to win the women’s race in 2:19:19 at the Virgin London Marathon today.

In recent years Keitany has established herself as the world’s best half-marathon runner. She has four sub-67-minute clockings to her name and won the world half-marathon title in 2009. Earlier this year she shattered the world record with 65:50 in Ras Al Kaimah, underlining her dominance of the distance.

But she disappointed in her debut at the marathon in New York last year, finishing third in 2:29:01. Many thought that Keitany was simply not cut out for the full marathon and Liliya Shobukhova – winner of the World Marathon Majors title – was touted as the favourite for today’s race.

Given her experience over 13.1 miles, Keitany was expected to do well over the first half with her biggest test coming in the second half. But it was during the final 13 miles where Keitany shone – covering the second half in 68:42 – as she blew apart the field.

It is the fastest time in the world since 2005 and Keitany becomes the fourth fastest woman of all time behind world record-holder Paula Radcliffe, two-time world champion Catherine Ndereba and 2004 Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi.

It was not long before a leading pack formed as the leading contenders – led by pacemaker Iness Chenonge – sped through the first 5km in 16:16. Defending champion Shobukhova initially held back slightly, allowing half-marathon world record-holder Mary Keitany to do the very early work

Five of the best Ethiopians, including Atsede Baysa, were also part of the leading pack and it wasn’t long before Shobukhova moved closer to Keitany and the pacemaker.

They passed through 10km in 32:54 (sub-2:19 pace) and covered mile seven in 5:02, but the pace soon settled down and by the time they went through 15km (49:50), they were on course for a more realistic 2:20.

Shobukhova still looked comfortable as the field crossed Tower Bridge, shortly after which pacemaker Chenonge dropped out. The Russian record-holder passed half-way in 70:37 and appeared to make an effort to increase the pace.

But it was not enough to make a big impact and just one mile later it was Keitany who took up the running. Within a matter of minutes the Kenyan had opened up a gap of 50m on the rest of the lead pack. As her lead continued to grow, it became clear that Keitany was not messing around.

She covered 20km in 1:23:10, then dropped miles of 5:01 and 5:09. At this point New York champion Edna Kiplagat had temporarily broken free from Shobukhova, but she was caught within a matter of minutes as Ethiopia’s Aberu Kebede joined the battle for second place.

Keitany’s decisive move brought her to 30km in 1:39:11 and she was once again operating at sub-2:20 pace. At this point she had a 33-second lead over her chasers and it looked as though she was assured the victory.

Keitany’s pace slowed slightly in the final few miles, but she had done more than enough to secure the victory, crossing the line in 2:19:19. Shobukhova made up a lot of ground but it was not enough. Nonetheless, she was rewarded with a PB of 2:20:15.

Kiplagat held on for third, smashing her PB with 2:20:45 – the best ever mark for a third-place finish – to become the fifth-fastest Kenyan marathon runner of all-time.

Jo Pavey was the top British finisher in 18th place, running a superb 2:28:39 on her debut at the distance while fellow British debutante Louise Damen clocked 2:29:59 as the top 22 finishers were under 2:30. For the first time in history nine women went under 2:25, 13 women went under 2:26 and 16 women broke 2:27 in what was undoubtedly the best race ever in terms of depth.

USA’s Amanda McGrory won the women’s wheelchair race in a close finish from Britain’s Shelley Woods. The pair were locked in battle down The Mall approaching the finish line, but Woods could not quite catch McGrory, as both clocked a course record of 1:46:31.

Jessica Judd won the Mini Marathon for under-17s for the third year in a row, defeating Emelia Gorecka.

Women’s results
1. Mary Keitany (KEN) 2:19:19
2. Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) 2:20:15
3. Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2:20:46
4. Bezunesh Bekele (ETH) 2:23:40
5. Atsede Baysa (ETH) 23:49
6. Yukiko Akaba (JPN) 2:24:08
7. Irina Mikitenko (GER) 24:22
8. Jessica Augusto (POR) 2:24:32
9 Aberu Kebede (ETH) 2:24:33
10. Mariya Konovalova (RUS) 2:25:18

Splits
1. 5:21
2. 5:16
3. 5:05
5km – 16:16
4. 5:20
5. 5:18
6. 5:48
10km – 32:54
7. 5:02
8. 5:24
9. 5:31
15km – 49:50
10. 5:33
11. 5:26
12. 5:31
20km – 67:01
13. 5:28
Half – 70:37
14. 5:13
15. 5:16
25km – 1:23:10
16. 5:01
17. 5:09
18. 5:09
30km – 1:39:11
19. 5:11
20. 5:15
21. 5:14
35km – 1:55:25
22. 5.17
23. 5:25
24. 5:15
40km – 2:12:07
25. 5:28
Finish -2:19:19