London Marathon 2017: Self-coached club runner Josh Griffiths pulls off huge shock as fastest Briton

A self-coached student who travelled by London Underground to the start line produced one of the biggest shocks of recent London Marathon history on Sunday, finishing as the fastest Briton to secure an unlikely place at the World Championships this summer.

Attempting the first marathon of his life, Josh Griffiths, 23, was not even part of the elite field and started behind the leading athletes with his fellow club runners.

Anonymous to most spectators thanks to the number 1154 on his bib – unlike the elite runners, whose names adorned their chest – Griffiths slowly gained ground on various Olympians and seasoned international runners, passing the overwhelming majority and crossing the line in some disbelief in a time of two hours 14 minutes and 49 seconds to finish 13th overall.

On a day that saw a scintillating Mary Keitany break Paula Radcliffe’s “women only” marathon world record, Griffiths’ performance was a surprise to all – even British Athletics officials had to ­admit they knew little about the man studying a masters in sports coaching at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Having won a humble park run in a Welsh village two starts ago, Griffiths will now represent Britain in the marathon at this summer’s London World Championships.

London Marathon 2017 in pictures - Royals, Celebrities and Fancy Dress

“I stayed with my parents in London last night,” said Griffiths, who lives in the village of Cross Hands in west Wales. “I was in London Bridge train station at 6.45 this morning, got the Tube to Blackheath and stayed there until the start.

“We started about 10m behind the elite field, but obviously that was never really in my mind to race those guys. I just wanted to run my own race.

“Once I got to halfway I started to catch the elite British guys up and I was running with people I’d looked up to.

“I couldn’t quite believe it and then, all of a sudden, I was pulling away from them.

“Until I crossed the line I didn’t quite believe what had happened.”

While most elite athletes spent the winter on warm-weather altitude training camps, Griffiths was busy tackling the hills of rural Wales in preparation for a debut attempt at the marathon distance.

“I coach myself and I just train around the house really,” he said. “It’s quite hilly – I’ve got some nice cycle paths to train on.

“I did a half marathon last month and that told me I was ready to run well but, because this is my first marathon, I never really knew what to expect. To run this is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Another relative unknown, Daniel Wanjiru, claimed overall victory, with the Kenyan holding off a late charge from the great Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele to triumph in 2hr 5min 48sec.

The $4,000 prize may be the biggest of Griffiths’ career, but it pales in comparison to the $125,000 world-record bonus Keitany takes home to Kenya in addition to $55,000 for winning the race.

Already a dual winner of the London Marathon, she set off at what appeared to be a suicidal pace, dropping the entire field after barely two miles and heading off into the distance with only a pacemaker for company.

At the halfway stage she was more than a minute ahead of Radcliffe’s outright world record of 2hr 15min 25sec, which was set in a mixed race with male pacemakers.

While that mark gradually slipped away over the second half of the race, Keitany had a second target in her sights – Radcliffe’s “women only” world record of 2hr 17min 42sec.

Despite running more than 13 miles in solitude after the pacemaker dropped out, Keitany maintained her gruelling pace to win in 2hr 17min 01sec.

One year after her fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong took victory, only to be disqualified for failing a drugs test, Keitany’s performance is bound to raise eyebrows despite her scathing criticism of her former team-mate.

“There is a saying: ‘In every maggot there is a madman or a madwoman’ so I think in sport there are those who are cheaters and those who are clean,” she said.

“Most of us in Kenya are talented by nature. I want to end my career clean. I ran an amazing time that I have never run before so I am happy.”

Moving third on the all-time list behind Keitany and Radcliffe, Ethiopia’s Tirunesh Dibaba failed in her effort to chase down the winner but finished an impressive second in 2hr 17min 56sec.

Jo Pavey had been hoping to come among the top two British women but said she was “bitterly disappointed” to drop out after 16 miles with leg cramps.

That left Alyson Dixon to cross the line as the leading home nation woman in 2hr 29min 6sec and ­secure her place at the World Championships alongside Charlotte Purdue, who was 17 seconds behind her.

12:45PM

Reports to follow

Our live coverage is coming to an end, but for many their race is only half done. I'll leave the last word to them, an inspiration and kick up the backside to the rest of us.

 And a reminder of how important the support is from those of you out there cheering them on:

12:39PM

Batman, meet Prince Harry

12:32PM

Right, that's the serious stuff out the way

Time to get behind the man running with a washing machine on his back. Keep it clean.

12:30PM

Men's winner Daniel Wanjiru

12:28PM

Mary Keitani, world-record setter

12:26PM

Over to the amateur runners

And Chewbacca is going well, you'll be glad to here.

12:21PM

Wanjiru's official time is 2:05:56

2 minutes 51 seconds off the world record.

12:19PM

Update on model and Made in Chelsea actor Ashley James, for those interested

 Presumably someone else is tweeting on Ashley's behalf

12:18PM

A triumph for club runners

Josh Griffiths, a club runner, has blown away the British front runners to top the home contingent with a phenomenal time of 2:14:49. Who saw that coming? Could he represent Great Britain in the World Championships in London this summer? He's secured the qualifying time.

Robbie Simpson is the second Brit to finish, also coming in within the qualifying time.

12:10PM

Bekele second, Kiroki third

12:08PM

That battle bounced back and forth

12:07PM

Daniel Wanjiru wins the 2017 London Marathon

12:05PM

Bekele on the hunt

The gap extends back by a second or two. Wanjiru wanted it and has found something a bit extra. Cram believes his lead is now insurmountable. 

12:03PM

Gap down to five seconds

12:03PM

Men's race as it stands

The commentary team is unabashedly biased towards Bekele. I know he's a legend and all, but that's not Wanjiru's fault, poor fella. I'm going to get behind him just to add a bit of balance.

"It's about who wants it more at this stage," says Radcliffe. You've got to want it, Wanji.

12:00PM

Ben Bloom reports on David Weir's triumph in the men's wheelchair race

You can read the full reporter here. But how about a teaser?

11:57AM

Leader re-establishes control

11:56AM

Wanjiru given a fright

He turns his head and realises Bekele was hounding him down. Wanjiru has stepped on it now. Has he got a sprint finish in him if it comes to that?

11:55AM

BritWatch

Top three British men, in the following order:

Robbie Simpson, Jonny Mellor, Scott Overall. Simpson on track to annihilate his personal best.

11:55AM

Runners pass over Tower Bridge

11:52AM

A breakdown of the men's timings

Steve Cram thinks Bekele will catch Wanjiru in the next five minutes.

11:50AM

Timings for the British women

11:50AM

Bekele on the move

He is up to second now and hounding down the leader Wanjiru. A surge from nowhere. Never write off the greatest.

11:49AM

Dixon tops the British women

The Sunderland runner crosses the finishes line and pulls a "Borini" in celebration in homage to the Mackems striker. Aly's a big fan, clearly.

He's what it looks like to the uninitiated:

Charlotte Pardew finished second. Those two qualify for the World Championships with personal bests. Tracy Barlow the third British woman to cross the line. She still has a chance of selection.

11:43AM

World record for Keitani

11:42AM

Bekele in fourth

Kenya's Daniel Wanjiru has accelerated, and now has leads Abel Kirui by about ten metres.

Jonny Mellor, Robbie Simpson and Scott Overall going well among the British contingent.

11:41AM

Top two timings for the women's race

11:40AM

A wicketkeeper running as a carton

This is worth a shout out. Former Middlesex wicketkeeper David Nash out today in fancy dress. A former sportsman, so he shouldn't run out of juice (geddit?)

11:37AM

Keitany’s unofficial time and the new women-only world record, is 2:17:01.

Alyson Dixon and Charlotte Pardew look like they will be the top two British finishers and heading to the World Championships. It's now just a question of whether Pardew can run down Dixon.

11:35AM

Mary Keitani smashes the women's-only world record

Just on the stroke of 2:17:00. Waiting on official timings. But that is the women's-only record regardless.

Tirunesh Dibaba finishes second just under 2:18:00.

11:32AM

Keitani down the finishing straight

History awaits. The record is in reach.

11:30AM

The Royals get behind the runners

11:28AM

1km to go for Keitani

11:28AM

Jo Pavey drops out

Around the 16 mile mark.

Mary Keitani on for the women's-only record time. When City marathons started off, the women would head out with the men, using their assistance as pacemakers. Paula Radcliffe holds the mixed race record, which is no longer under threat. 

11:25AM

Karoki time

Kenyan Bedan Karoki is a half-marathon specialist and many were keen to keep a close eye on his full Marathon debut. He's going strong:

11:23AM

Kenenisa Bekele really struggling now

He's dropped back from the back entirely and is running a lonely race at the moment. It doesn't look like we'll be getting a world record in the men's race now.

Keitany down towards Big Ben. Tirunesh Dibaba clutching her stomach, she might have cramp. That could be her challenge over, slowing to a walk as she is.

Timings for the top two British women as they stand:

11:19AM

BritWatch

Alyson Dixon running  a personal best and leading the battle among the British women in 12th place overall. Charlotte Pardew only 15 seconds behind. Jo Pavey in fourth among the Brits.

A reminder that Pavey needs to finish as one of the top two British women and run a time of two hours and 36 minutes or better to secure qualification for the 2017 World Championships. That's looking like a tall order as it stands.

11:16AM

Keitany tiring

Her last mile was a 5:29, so that's down again on her early pace. She is, however, now over a minute ahead with under 3.2 miles to go. 2:01:00 currently on the clock.

11:12AM

Mr Potato Head update

He is running. Which is exactly what he should be doing. Well done that man.

11:12AM

Bekele drops back

As the leading pack in the men's race picks up the pace. Bekele now right at the back of it, not where he would want to be, but not disastrous either.

11:10AM

Keitany still out in front

The Kenyan maintaining her gap on Dibaba.

She does look chuffing knackered, though.

11:07AM

Go on Chappers!

Spare a thought for Mark Chapman, whose head you can just about see bobbing among the crowd in this snapshot in the blue vest:

Chappers is supposed to be presenting Match of the Day at 10.30pm this evening. Let's hope he makes it back in time.

11:04AM

A veritable swarm of runners

Wonderful scenes. I'm not quite sure how you can do that with a camera, separating the background and the foreground like that, but it looks great.

11:01AM

Boris Johnson in training already for next year's event

10:58AM

"So far so good."

Says Steve Cram of Kenenisa Bekele's race. The long-distance legend is in the leading pack of around ten or so runners. They're now coming over Tower Bridge.

 I do wish they'd slow down so I can take a decent snapshot.

10:55AM

Can she break the record that counts?

10:53AM

Keitany still way out in front

Tirunesh Dibaba currently in second, a fair way off the pace. Keitany still leading, despite slowing up. Her predicted time has slipped to 2:15:08, which is still world record pace, but Cram doesn't think she'll make that. Dibaba in with a chance if she "continues to run strong," says the former British distance runner.

Still no news on Mr Potato Head. Presumably he's full of beans, so he'll be fine.

More good news for the Brits in the women's paralympic event:

10:47AM

Keitany's progress

10:44AM

Men's race as it stands

10:44AM

Congratulatory messages for David Weir

10:43AM

Tomfoolery

The Royals larking about with their starting horn. Be honest, you'd all be doing exactly the same.

10:39AM

Record pace in the men's race

The men are running sub-2:02 pace through the first ten kilometres. Steve Cram thinks Bekele can maintain that, but his hangers-on are foolish for thinking they can too. Bekele pushing things to shake off some of his competitors.

10:36AM

Men's wheelchair top three

1. David Weir (GBR) - 01:31:06

2. Marcel Hug (SUI) -  01:31:07

3. Rafael Botello Jimenez (SPA) -  01:31:09

I jumped the gun on Manuela Schar: she looked such a dead cert it sounded like she had already won. She hadn't. She has now.

10:34AM

Men's race update

10:33AM

Mary Keitany is slowing down

The leader is struggling to maintain her early "crazy" pace. Steve Cram's prophecy is coming to pass.

10:29AM

The Weirwolf roars again!

David Weir powers past Marcel Hug on the final straight to win his 7th London Marathon.

 Swiss Manuela Schar takes a comfortable victory in the women's wheelchair event.

10:26AM

Sprint finish in the wheelchair race

David Weir is in amongst it, on the shoulder of Marcel Hug. Two turns away from the final sprint finish.

10:24AM

Heads Together

The Telegraph's own Bryony Gordon is running in today's event. Here she is embracing Prince Harry, both are supporting Heads Together today. Well worth catching up on her interviews with the Prince on his own battles with mental health through the tweet below.

10:22AM

Men's race update

10:20AM

Money being raised for plenty of good causes today

It really is a special event

10:16AM

Wheelchair race approaching a sprint finish

At the 35k mark, Marcel Hug is at the head of the pack. David Weir is in striking distance in second place. About 10 minutes away from a sprint to the line.

10:14AM

Record pace in the women's race

So I know that is quite remarkable, but I can't help but want to find out about the progress of the man dressed as Mr Potato Head. Does he have mates? Are Buzz and Woody here too? I will endeavour to investigate and bring you news as I get it.

10:09AM

More ridiculous costumes

Roll up, roll up!

Who knew?

10:05AM

A reminder of why the Royals are running today

A very important cause

Meanwhile, Steve Cram has upgraded his assessment of Mary Keitany's current pace from "silly" to "crazy".

"It's too fast, even for Mary Keitany." 5 minute miles for Mary at the moment. It's so fast, she's a complete blur.

10:01AM

The 37th London Marathon is under way

Look at all those people!

10:00AM

Hi there

James Cracknell, Chris Evans and lots of others

9:59AM

The line-up

9:58AM

The Royals are here!

9:56AM

Men's elite runners at the start line

All-time great Kenenisa Bekele is going for the world record today, which stands at 2:03:05. Bekele's personal best stands at 2:03:03, so it's already well within his reach.

The big name omission from the field is the reigning champion Eliud Kipchoge, who is skipping London to attempt Nike's sub-2:00 challenge. Bekele's main competitors today will be Kenya's Stanley Biwott and his fellow Ethiopian Tesfaye Abera.

9:52AM

Fancy that?

Batman and Robin seem a little more suited to running a Marathon than Mr Potato Head, and there's some nifty handiwork on this Mona Lisa outfit.

9:47AM

"No, really, why wouldn't I run the Marathon dressed as Mr Potato Head?"

Let's hope he's not baked by the end.

9:45AM

Fast start to the women's race

Steve Cram reckons Mary Keitany is over-cooking it, setting off at a "silly" pace, currently on track for 2 hrs 11 minutes.

"Is Mary going to pay for this?" Asks Steve. "I hope so," says a nervous Paula Radcliffe, with her own world record of 2:15:25 on the line.

9:40AM

Quinton is literally rubbing his hands in anticipation

Despite a Premier League winners medal to his name, Mr Fortune said that finishing today's Marathon would be the greatest achievement of his life.

9:38AM

A particularly poignant day in Westminster

In light of the tragic events at Westminster last month, Inspector Julie Henderson is running for the Police Dependants' Trust, a charity that supports injured officers and families of officers who have been killed or injured on duty.

She gives an emotional interview with Gabby Logan before the start of her race:

"We do see a lot of things that people should never see, but we also see the best of people," says Julie.

9:32AM

Weird in third place

The racers have reached the Cutty Sark. Weir is positioned behind Japan's Hiroyuki Yamamoto and event-favourite Marcel Hug.

And an update on the women's race:

9:29AM

An inspirational story

As the elite's get into their stride, it feels like time to take a look at some of our everyday heroes. Jim White's interview with Somalian Zamzam Farah (a good long distance name if ever there was one), whose journey from war-torn Mogadishu to the start line of today's London Marathon is a truly remarkable one.

9:18AM

Elite Women's Field

Are off!

Jo Pavey was looking very relaxed at the start line. Having a little natter with her compatriot Susan Partridge.

Today's field is being touted as one of the strongest ever to start the London Marathon. World champion Mare Dibaba and two-time winner Mary Keitany in amongst it. Paula Radcliffe says the conditions are perfect for the morning. Should be a great race.

9:14AM

Celeb Watch

Gwan Shane, give us a cheeky smile

Don't worry Ashley, I think there are already plenty of other people taking photos of you today.

9:08AM

Love is in the air

These two just got married. Well done them. Looks like Gabby Logan was master of ceremonies.

9:06AM

On a lighter note

Here are some ridiculous costumes from previous years:

Extreme London Marathon costumes | Antique diving suit Extreme London Marathon costumes | Crutches Extreme London Marathon costumes | Angel of the North 9:04AM

Women's race under way in under five minutes

Britain's Jo Pavey will aim to secure qualification for the 2017 World Championships today.

She needs to finish as one of the top two British women and run a time of two hours and 36 minutes or better.

The women's race has been shrouded in controversy: last year's winner Jemima Sumgong is absent after testing positive for a banned substance.

You can read Ben Bloom's take on that and other matters in the elite events here. For now, a taster:

8:58AM

All ages, shapes and sizes

8:56AM

Weir is on the startline

 And Heather Stanning gets them under way. The 2017 London Marathon has begun!

8:52AM

Celebrity runners

And my personal favourite cult entry, Quinton Fortune.

London Marathon 2017 | Celebrity runners 8:50AM

Racing under 10 minutes away

Home favourite David Weir will start his race in under 10 minutes. You can read more about his thoughts on his future in the sport here.

8:37AM

Marathon horror stories

Not to dissuade anyone running today, but here are a few things that can go pear-shaped on Marathon day, including thermometers in uncomfortable places: 

8:19AM

Where are the best roadside spots to watch the race from?

London Marathon | Where to watch 8:05AM

What does the course look like?

London Marathon 2017 - Best places to watch the race 7:58AM

London Marathon 2017 - all you need to know

What is it?

Why, it's only the 37th edition of the long-distance race around the streets of London which is tackled by both elite athletes and amateurs who regularly run the 26 mile and 385 yard course – or 42.195 kilometres for the Europhiles among us – for charitable causes.

Incidentally, the fastest ever time the course has been run in happened in 2016 when Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya completed the route in two hours three minutes and five seconds. 

Paula Radcliffe of Great Britain set the fastest time for a woman back in 2003 after putting in a two hour 15 mins and 25 secs shift on the streets of London.

When is it?

All races take place on Sunday April 23, 2017. First up, the wheelchair race starts at 8.55am (BST) and will be followed by Paralympic runners at 9am whose race is part of the IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup.

The elite women's race gets under way at 9.15am before, 40 minutes later, the men lead out the tens of 1,000s of amateur runners.

How long until the 2017 London Marathon starts?

What TV channel is it on?

The London Marathon will be broadcast live on BBC 1, with their programme starting at 8.30am.

Extreme London Marathon costumes | St George

What does the weather forecast look like for Sunday?

For the runners the weather is looking perfect, possibly a little chilly for anybody planning on heading into central London to cheer them on. 

Here's what the Met Office have to say: "A mild, but not hot, day with a light breeze will help those charity runners who will still be completing the course past noon.

"Those conditions will also help the professional runners get around the course in world-record time – as we saw in 2002 when Khalid Khannouchi shaved a few seconds off his own world-record."

How can I track a specific runner?

Official app and online tracker

The Virgin Money London Marathon ran its own mobile app for the first time in 2015, to make it easier for friends and family of participants to track the race as it progresses. 

This year is supposed to be the first time the service will be available on Android, having previously been an iPhone exclusive.

The tracking facility is also accessible via the official website - though it is currently inactive, pending the race start. Timing intervals are every five kilometres and you can search both by a runner's name and their race number.

The app still appears to be only available on iPhone, so Android users will have to head online or use other running apps.

The official app and online timing uses the chips given to each runner, but only delivers estimated positions every five kilometres.  If you want more specific feedback, it is worth exploring other options.

Running apps

There is a range of other apps available on both Apple and Android that use GPS tracking and automatically deliver live updates to followers online.

These smartphone apps can provide more detailed and personal way to follow a friend than the official website. Set up before the marathon starts, the smartphone will send progress reports via email and social media throughout the race.

Some of the running apps are free, but to access the live-tracking facilities with the likes of Garmin Fit and RunKeeper you’ll have to sign up for the paid subscription service. 

To avoid the battery running out mid-race, make sure you pull back to the Home screen so that the app is only operating in the background.  

It’s also best to be aware that during past London Marathons, these mobile means of tracking have had problems with overload.

Arithmetic

If you’re out on the course looking to spot a specific runner, you can also use good old-fashioned mental arithmetic to ensure you’re in the right place at the right time. 

Provided your charge has done a modicum of training – enough that they can take a stab at their average minutes-per-mile – and you know what time they start, you can make a fair guess what time they’ll hit each mile marker around the course. By Sean Gibson

Which celebrities are running?

• Vassos Alexander

• Juliet Aubrey

• Marcus Bean

• William Beck

• Nick Bright

• Mark Chapman

• James Cracknell

• Rob Deering

• Chris Evans

• Jenni Falconer

• Sean Fletcher

• Quinton Fortune

• Helen Glover

• Christopher Harper

• Katie Hopkins

• Lucy Horobin

• Nina Hossain

• Ashley James

• Matt Johnson

• Gwilym Lee

• Bobby Lockwood

• Danny Mills

• Chris Newton

• Leon Ockenden

• Jamie Peacock

• Jonathan Pearce

• Gilles Peterson

• Jessica Ransom

• Sophie Raworth

• Pamela Relph

• George Riley

• Adele Roberts

• Scouting for Girls

• Keith Senior

• Baasit Siddiqui

• Kevin Sinfeld

• Heather Stanning

• Paul Tonkinson

• Chrissie Wellington

• Shane Williams

• Sian Williams

• Adam Woodyatt

London's going to be busy, but what roads will be closed?

We've got you covered on that. See below.

London Marathon | Road closures 23 April 2017 A history of the London Marathon Register Log in commenting policy