In a fascinating race, Jorgensen burst from the pack at The Tower of London to win at last in London. Kevin Forster made up for his disappointment at missing out on Olympic selection four years earlier by coming second in the race to secure his place in the team for Seoul. Hugh Jones was fourth and Charlie Spedding, who badly misjudged the race, was tenth.

Ingrid Kristiansen scored a fourth triumph in the women's race with 2:25:41 with Britain's best, Ann Ford, almost five minutes behind in second. Susan Tooby, on her marathon debut, was fourth behind Sweden's super-veteran Evy Palm.