Oxford-born runner Mara Yamauchi led the home challenge in the Flora London Marathon with the second fastest time ever by a British woman.

Yamauchi ran a personal best to come home sixth in 2hrs 25mins 13 secs a time which puts her second behind Radcliffe on the British all-time list.

It confirmed her world-class status after finishing fifth last November in Tokyo.

A 10,000 metre bronze medallist at last month's Commonwealth Games, Yam- auchi said: "I completed the first half in 71.30 which was a little bit fast as I planned to do 72,"

"I was struggling at 17 miles, because I was out on my own.

"I had to keep it together till the end.

"The crowd support was good despite the weather and the conditions were perfect for a fast time.

"I'm pleased that I ran a personal best," added the former Oxford City athlete, known then as Mara Myers.

Deena Kastor put in a dominant display to win the women's race.

The 33-year-old American, the pre-event favourite, appeared to damage a wrist when she stumbled into one of the food tables as she tried to grab a drink.

The incident failed to knock her out of her stride, though, as she became only the eighth woman to clock under two hours and 20 minutes for the distance.

Kastor won in 2hrs 19mins 35secs, finishing ahead of Russia's Lyudmila Petrova and Kenyan Susan Chepkemei.

Kastor's runaway performance of two hours 19 minutes and 36 seconds has only in the past been bettered on the London course by Paula Radcliffe.

The American specifically chose to run her spring marathon on British soil, believing it offered the best opportunity to break the two-hours-20-minutes barrier.

Kastor, who was third three years ago when Radcliffe posted her world record of 2hrs 15mins 25secs, felt another clash with last year's champion would aid her in her task.

Even Radcliffe's withdrawal with a foot injury failed to hinder the USA record-holder and Olympic bronze medallist, who broke away after 17 miles into a unassailable lead after initially being tracked by Salina Kosgei and Susan Chepkemei.

Kosgei was the first to fall off the pace but Chepkemei, third a year ago and looking strong, stayed in contention until Kastor's mid-race surge.

From that point it was plain sailing for Kastor who, despite slipping at one of the feeding stations, quickly regained her mobility to score a superb success.

"This was obviously an important race for me to win," said 33-year-old Kastor, who significantly lowered her national record of 2:21.16, set in her only other London appearance.

"I had a feeling I would win this one. I wasn't feeling good earlier on, but I managed to hold on and go under 2:20, which was my motive goal, so it was successful all-round."

Felix Limo denied fellow Kenyan Martin Lel a second successive title in a thrilling sprint finish.

Limo, last autumn's Chicago champion, won in the unofficial time of 2.6.38 when he outpaced his countryman in the final 100 metres.

South Africa's Hendrick Ramaala matched his third placing of 12 months ago, while pre-race favourite Haile Gebrselassie fell off the pace in the final two miles.