Athletics women marathon

London 2012 - Lisa Jane Weightman of Australia is emotional after finishing the women’s marathon in 17th place.

London 2012 - Ethiopia’s Tiki Gelana recovers from a mid-race tumble on rain slicked streets to pull ahead and win the women’s marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:23:07.

London 2012 - Wrapped in her national flag, marathon silver medalist Priscah Jeptoo turns to celebrate with her shorter teammate Mary Jepkosgei Keitany who finishes in fourth.

London 2012 - Chung Yunhee of Korea finds herself between two runners from Belarus. Nastassia Staravoitava and Sviatlana Kouhan run together for the entire 42km/26mi and cross the finish line 33rd and 34th out of 107 eventual finishers.

London 2012 - London rain doesn’t deter women’s marathon spectators who raise umbrellas beside the Houses of Parliament to view the race.

London 2012 - A total of 118 women started the Olympics women’s marathon. Early in the race the group run mostly together.

London 2012 - A wave of women’s marathoners pass Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster on the first lap of the longest running race in the Olympics.

London 2012 - With an 800mm telephoto lens which weighs 4.5kg/10lbs, a professional photographer can get up-close shots from blocks away. Lenses of this type can retail for over 13,000 dollars; 10,000 euros; or 8,300 pounds sterling.

London 2012 - Small groups of runners form in the women’s marathon to pace each other to the finish.

London 2012 - Marathon running causes attrition and a lead group of women begins to form.

London 2012 - Persistent rain moistens, but the athletes prefer the cool temperature for the women’s Olympic marathon.

London 2012 - The Palace of Westminster and Big Ben provide a grand backdrop for the women’s marathon.

London 2012 - Photographers are expected to record Olympic action whatever the weather. Here a photographer gets the shot and protects the equipment.