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Sir Mo Farah ended a week in which he was savaged by one distance running great by being blown away by another.
Farah was bidding to win the Virgin Money London Marathon for the first time, but he could not live with the extraordinary Eliud Kipchoge who romped to a record fourth victory.
Farah's preparations were marred by Wednesday's explosive row with former distance star Haile Gebrselassie over an alleged robbery in the hotel owned by the retired Ethiopian.
Gebrselassie, 46, responded to Farah's claims with an astonishing statement alleging "multiple reports of disgraceful conduct" by the four-time Olympic champion and his entourage.
Farah's camp insisted the unwelcome headlines would not affect the 36-year-old, and there was certainly no disgrace in finishing fifth in a time of two hours, five minutes and 39 seconds.
Show all 39 1 /39London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures A gallery of the best London Marathon 2019 pictures.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures A boat passes underneath as runners cross Tower Bridge.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge leads the way during the men's elite race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Andy Murray gets ready to start the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Candice Brown prior to the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Chris Evans (centre) with the Team Barbara's Revolutionaries Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Scott Mitchell and Natalie Cassidy.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Colombia's Francisco Sanclemente after getting a puncture at the start of the men's wheelchair race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Sanclemente inspects the damage.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Sir Mo Farah warms up.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Runners prepare for the start of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Charlotte Purdue (centre) at the start of the Women's London Marathon.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures A runner takes a photo on her phone.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Runners at the start of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures A fun runner wears a Sir Mo mask for inspiration.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Sir Mo Farah (centre) at the start.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Great Britain's Mo Farah.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Sir Mo makes his way at the beginning of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Daniel Romanchuk of the U.S. wins the men's wheelchair race,
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures A runner dressed as Spider Man.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kirsty Gallacher ahead of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Jenni Falconer ahead of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Switzerland's Manuela Schar wins first place in the women's wheelchair race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Switzerland's Manuela Schar celebrates.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Chris Evans at the start line.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kirsty Gallacher sets off.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures General view during the men's elite race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge in action.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Japan's Tadashi Horikoshi in action during the men's para race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Australia's Michael Roeger wins the men's para race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Candice Brown during the Virgin London Marathon 2019.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot in action.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Gabby Logan presenting BBC's coverage of the race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Kenya's Brigid Kosgei celebrates winning the women's elite race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Brigid Kosgei crosses the finish line.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Great Britain's Charlotte Purdue in action.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Brigid Kosgei wins the women's race.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Great Britain's Charlotte Purdue celebrates.
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Third place, Ethiopia's Roza Dereje (L), winner, Kenya's Brigid Kosgei (C) and second place, Kenya's Vivian Cheruiyot (R).
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London Marathon 2019 in pictures London Marathon 2019 in pictures Great Britain's Hayley Carruthers falls at the end of the women's elite race.
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But talk of overhauling Kenyan Kipchoge proved fanciful from around the 14-mile mark, when the 34-year-old put his foot on the gas.
Kipchoge, winner in 2015, 2016 and last year, smashed his own course record in a time of two hours, two minutes and 37 seconds.
Already the world record holder, Kipchoge won in the second fastest time ever ahead of Ethiopians Mosinet Geremew and Mule Wasihun.
In the women's race, Brigid Kosgei of Kenya went one better than last year with victory.
David Weir's bid to win a ninth men's wheelchair race ended in disappointment.
Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line (AFP) The 39-year-old six-time Paralympic gold medalist, competing in his 20th London Marathon, finished fifth as Dan Romanchuk triumphed.
The women's wheelchair race was comfortably won by Manuela Schar of Switzerland.
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