Virginia Beach's 2003 Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon winner, Martin Lel of Kenya, recorded a major breakthrough this weekend when he won the prestigious Flora London Marathon Sunday (4/17). Competing against a world class field that included 2002 Rock 'n' Roll Half winner and marathon world record holder Paul Tergat, Lel won London in a personal best time of 2:07:26 over the 26.2-mile course.

It was the second major marathon title for the 26-year-old Lel who had never previously run faster than 2:10 and could now be in contention for selection for to the World Championships in Helsinki in August 2005. Lel won the ING New York City Marathon in November 2003, on the heels of his Rock 'n' Roll Half victory that August.

Following Lel in London, world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco was second, 23 seconds behind, and Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa was third in 2:08:32. London's hometown favorite, Paula Radcliffe, captured the women's title in 2:17:42. A record 34,175 finished the London Marathon this year.

The Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and is again expecting a record number of participants, hits the streets of Virginia Beach Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005. For more information or to register online, visit Rock N Roll Half Marathon

See our coverage of the 2004 race Rock N Roll Half Marathon 2004