Yalemzerf Yehualaw recovered from a fall at around 32km to claim a dramatic yet incredible victory in the TCS London Marathon today, recording a stunning time of 2:17:26.

The 23-year-old Ethiopian retained her composure despite suffering the mid-race mishap to become the youngest woman in history to win this iconic race.

Yehualaw made her winning break just inside the final 5km, producing a relentless burst of acceleration to kick clear of Joyciline Jepkosgei and on to a magnificent win - just three seconds shy of her PB.

An ecstatic Yehualaw said: “I am so happy to win here in London. I have worked very hard to prepare for this race and to take the victory is amazing.”

Yehualaw, the second fastest half marathoner in history and world 10km record holder, ran the fastest ever women’s time by a marathon debutant to win the Hamburg Marathon (2:17:23) in April this year – a performance which elevated her to seventh on the all-time lists. NN Running Team athlete Ashete Bekere also took part in the women’s marathon and finished sixth in 2:19:30.

In the men’s marathon NN Running Team athlete Leul Gebresilase finished second (2:05:12) after a very strong race, followed by his team mates Kenenisa Bekele in fifth (2:05:53) and Birhanu Legese in sixth (2:06:11).