It was a superb performance by the Leeds man and gave him the award for the leading veteran.

Just one place behind in a time of 2:23:59 was his Leeds City team-mate Chris Birchall.

The third member of the Leeds team was Adam Osborne, who came 132nd in 2:37:09, putting Leeds well up in the team race which is yet to be worked out.

Leeds City's Scottish international Susan Partridge was 17th in the elite women's race in 2:41:40. She was the fourth British woman.

Other performances included: 51 M Sanders (Ackworth) 2:29:33; 72 D Turnbull (Holmfirth) 2:32:10; 81 P Marchant (Rothwell) 2:33:01; 95 M Pierson (Holmfirth) 2:34:53; 110 O Bielby (Wharfedale) 2:35:46; 178 S Newton (Ackworth) 2:39:4; 187 M Bendall (Horsforth) 2:40:29; 208 R Taylor (Valley Striders) 2:41:15; 219 I Anderson (Knavesmire) 2:41:48; 223 R Lowson (Knavesmire) 2:42:06; 310 I Whitehouse (Halifax) 2:45:01; 327 R Barker (Halifax) 2:45:31; 360 J Morris (Dewsbury) 2:46:56; 373 D Kennedy (Longwod) 2:47:23; 434 T Gaile (Pudsey Pacers) 2:48.

Meanwhile, Martin Lel had no problems defending his title in the men's race despite having his preparations interrupted by the recent political unrest in Kenya.

In a race run at world-record pace until the last six miles, Lel claimed a third London title in four years by smashing Khalid Khannouchi's course record.

Fellow Kenyan Sammy Wanjiru was second and last year's runner-up Abderrahim Goumri third as the first three home all broke the previous course record.

In the women's race Liz Yelling won her domestic duel with Hayley Haining to almost certainly assure her of a second British Olympic vest in Beijing this summer.