Robinson records PB at London marathon (From Gazette Series)

Robinson records PB at London marathon

10:17am Tuesday 15th April 2008 in Sport By Gazette reader

GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S Dan Robinson ran a personal best to almost certainly book his Olympic spot at the London Marathon today.

Robinson ran a time of 2:13.11 - more than 40 seconds better than his previous best - to finish in 12th place, just behind Olympic champion Stefano Baldini.

He said: "I'm quite satisfied, I can only do my best.

"It's mind-boggling when the leaders are running 2:05 but my job was to finish top Brit, to run a PB if possible and try to confirm my Olympic place which I think I've done, so it's a case of job done."

Kenya's Martin Lel set a new course record at the London Marathon as he defended his title to win the race for the third time in four years.

Lel finished in a time of two hours five minutes and 15 seconds to beat compatriot Samuel Wanjiru into second place after a sprint finish.

Germany's Irina Mikitenko took the women's race on her London debut.

London Marathon leading results (men): 1. Martin Lel (Kenya) 2 hrs 5 mins 15 secs 2. Samuel Wanjiru (Kenya) 2:05:24 3. Abderrahim Goumri (Morocco) 2:05:30 4. Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya) 2:06:15 5. Ryan Hall (US) 2:06:17 6. Deriba Mergia (Ethiopia) 2:06:38 7. Yonas Kifle (Eritrea) 2:08:51 8. Felix Limo (Kenya) 2:10:34 9. Aleksey Sokolov (Russia) 2:11:41 10. Hendrick Ramaala (South Africa) 2:11:44 London Marathon leading results (women): 1. Irina Mikitenko (Germany) 2 hrs 24 mins 14 secs 2. Svetlana Zakharova (Russia) 2:24:39 3. Gete Wami (Ethiopia) 2:25:37 4. Salina Kosgei (Kenya) 2:26:30 5. Ludmila Petrova (Russia) 2:26:45 6. Souad Ait Salem (Algeria) 2:27:41 7. Berhane Adere (Ethiopia) 2:27:42 8. Constantina Dita (Romania) 2:27:45 9. Liz Yelling (Britain) 2:28:33 10. Adriana Pirtea (Romania) 2:28:52