GALLERY: THE 2019 LONDON MARATHON

Organisers for the London Marathon seem to do it every year - assembling the deepest fields and producing some of the hottest racing of the majors. It's a flat, fast course, and there's a genuine prospect of records falling each year.

The hype was even bigger this year thanks mostly to the return of Mo Farah - the british media certainly weren't about to let marathon pedigree or experience get in the way of a good story; questions to Mo on whether he could win dominated any and every press opportunity.

Not even the provisional suspension of Abraham Kiptum could dampen the pre-race buzz, and for what felt like the first time in years, the hype surrounding the women's race matched the men's.

By the time the fields came over London's iconic Tower Bridge, neither race was going according to the script.

On the women's side, Australian Sinead Diver was a shock solo leader, while Eliud Kipchoge was patiently sitting behind the pace leaders.

Things got heated shortly after in the women's race, as Brigid Kosgei dropped the hammer around 25km and only Cheruiyot and Dereje could go with her. By 35km it was all over, Kosgei in complete control and Cheruiyot all on her own in 2nd, unable to defend her title.

On the men's side, Mo Farah was dropped from the lead group shortly after Tower Bridge, as Kipchoge started to turn the screws. With 7km to go, only 3 men were able to stick with Kipchoge's pace.

Ultimately it was Kosgei victorious in 2:18:20, ahead of Cheruiyot and Dereje.

On the men's side, Eliud Kipchoge ran the second fastest marathon ever, an astonishing 2:02:37. Mosinet Geremew also dipped under 2:03, with Male Wasihun rounding out the podium. Mo Farah finished 5th.

Of course, it's not just about the elites in London. We tracked back to Mile 21 to check in on the Run Dem Crew Cheer Zone for a deafening good time.