Yomi Omogbeja (23/04/2006)

Kenya's Felix Limo held off defending champion Martin Lel to win the 2006 Flora London Marathon.

The 25-year-old, running for the first time in London after recording wins in Rotterdam, Berlin and Chicago, outsprinted fellow Kenyan Lel at the final bend into the Mall to win the $105,000 prize in 2:06.39, with Lel finishing two seconds later.

South Africa's 2005 New York champion Hendrick Ramaala was third in a personal best 2:06:55.

Pre-race favourite and four-times world 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia finished in a disappointing ninth position in 2:09:05.

An elated Limo said: "When everyone started to watch one another, I knew it would be a brain game. I had to use my brain to win that 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."

Kenyan Susan Chepkemei was placed third in the women's race with 2:21:46, even as fourth placed Berhane Adere, the 2003 World champion and 2005 silver medallist at 10,000 metres, set an Ethiopian record with 2:21:52.

American Deena Kastor won the race in the fourth fastest woman all-time clocking with her 2:19:36.

2006 Flora London Marathon - Full Results

Men
1. Felix Limo (KEN) 2:06:39
2. Martin Lel (KEN) 2:06:41
3. Hendrick Ramaala (RSA) 2:06:55
4. Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 2:07:04
5. Stefano Baldini (ITA) 2:07:22
6. Rogers Rop (KEN) 2:07:34
7. Hicham Chatt (MAR) 2:07:59
8. Jaouad Gharib (MAR) 2:08:45
9. Haile Gebrselassie (ETH) 2:09:05
10. Evans Rutto (KEN) 2:09:35

Women
1. Deena Kastor (USA) 2:19:36
2. Lyudmila Petrova (RUS) 2:21:29
3. Susan Chepkemei (KEN) 2:21:46
4. Berhane Adere (ETH) 2:21:52
5. Galina Bogomolova (RUS) 2:21:58
6. Mara Yamauchi (GBR) 2:25:13
7. Constantina Dita (ROM) 2:27:51
8. Salina Kosgei (KEN) 2:28:40
9. Margaret Okayo (KEN) 2:29:16
10. Eri Hayakawa (JPN) 2:31:41