Mutai beat his namesake Emmanuel Mutai, winner of this year's London Marathon, into second place, with Ethiopia's Tsegayre Kebede third.

The women's race went to Ethiopia's Firehiwot Dado, who clocked 2:23:15, with fellow countrywoman Buzunesh Deba, who recorded 2:23.19.

Britain's Jo Pavey did enough to further her claim to be selected in the British team for London 2012.

The 38-year-old finished ninth in 2:28.42 in ideal conditions over what is renowned as a challenging, undulating course.

Pavey's time was 18 seconds slower than she recorded in her marathon debut in London earlier this year, but it will have demonstrated her ability to compete in a race which, with its lack of pacemakers, more closely corresponds to the conditions in championship races such as the Olympics.

With world record holder Paula Radcliffe effectively assured of one of the three places in London after finishing third in Berlin, Pavey is vying for one of the two other slots with athletes such as Louise Damen, Susan Partridge and Mara Yamauchi.

Contact the writer of this article at [email protected]


Related stories
November 2011: Mike Rowbottom - The marathon can surprise even the most experienced runner
September 2011: World's fastest marathon man Mutai to take on Mutai in New York
September 2011: Lel, Mutai and Pavey hoping for tops spots at 2011 New York Marathon