Gas leak changes London Marathon route

London -- The path of the London Marathon was altered while in progress Sunday when a gas leak was detected along the route, a race spokeswoman said.

The unidentified spokeswoman said the estimated 35,000 runners had to leg out another "two to three yards" because of the last-minute course change, The Daily Telegraph reported Sunday.

Heavy showers also besieged the annual run Sunday, but were not enough to stop the race favorite, Kenyan runner Martin Lel, from taking first in the men's marathon.

Lel beat fellow Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru and Moroccan runner Abderrahim Goumri for the top spot.

Runner Irina Mikitenao won the women's portion, beating out second-place finisher Svetlana Zakharova, the Telegraph said.

British competitor Davie Wear and Swiss racer Sandra Graf won the men's and women's wheelchair category, respectively, the newspaper reported.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.