Wilson Kipsang on his way to winning the London Marathon.

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah toiled on his highly-anticipated marathon debut with the Briton trailing in eighth as Kenyans Wilson Kipsang and Edna Kiplagat secured London titles yesterday.

Farah was given a “tough” baptism by the world’s best – finishing almost four minutes behind world record holder Kipsang.

The 32-year old Kenyan claimed a second London title with a course record two hours four minutes 29 seconds, pulling clear of compatriot Stanley Biwott who was 26 seconds back with Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede third.

“The pacemakers went too early for me so I had to push myself,” said Kipsang who also won in 2012, the same year he won Olympic bronze around the streets of London.

“At around 31k I decided to push harder. And then I pushed again towards the finish line and that was when I broke away.”

Farah gritted his teeth to cross in 2:08:21, outside the British record that has stood since 1985.

“That was tough. I’m very disappointed,” said a chastened Farah.

“I didn’t know what to expect. It was a little bit windy and I didn’t really have a plan. I’ll be back.”

Edna Kiplagat won her first London title, getting the better of compatriot Florence Kiplagat to win in two hours, 20 minutes and 21 secs.

The winner outkicked her namesake who finished three seconds behind after the pair had dropped debutant Tirunesh Dibaba, stepping up from the track where she enjoyed a glittering career.