Kastor Finishes First in London

Deena Kastor broke her American record to win the London Marathon on Sunday, and Felix Limo out-sprinted defending champion Martin Lel to take the men’s race.

Kastor timed 2 hours 19 minutes 35 seconds to beat Lyudmila Petrova of Russia and third-place Susan Chepkemei of Kenya in cool, drizzly conditions in the British capital.

The former Agoura Hills resident established the American record when she ran 2:21:16 to finish third in her only other London Marathon in 2003. The 33-year-old Kastor is the eighth woman to run under 2:20.

“It was one of my expectations as my training has been going so well,” Kastor said. “I did want to run faster, but I wasn’t feeling it early on. I managed to hold on to go under 2:20, which was my main goal.”

Kastor is the fourth woman to hold the Chicago and London titles at the same time -- along with Ingrid Kristiansen, Paula Radcliffe and Joyce Chepchumba.

In the men’s race, Limo and Lel ran side by side for the final 1.2 miles before Limo made a break with the finish line in sight. Limo finished in 2:06:39, Lel was two seconds back and Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa was third in 2:06:55.

“I had to use my brain to win that race,” said Limo, who had an egg thrown near his feet midway through the race.

“I felt good, although the conditions were not great. But when the conditions are not perfect, you have to use your brain as well as your legs.”

London was Kastor’s second marathon win. She won last year’s Chicago Marathon and was third at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Petrova caught Chepkemei in the final miles, finishing in 2:21:29. Chepkemei followed in 2:21:46 in a race that featured personal bests among the top six women.