4 out of 5 world marathon 'kings' compete in London

Eliud Kipchoge, who holds the world record of 2 hours 1 minute 9 seconds, did not participate in this year's event. But four legs running behind him, including Kenenisa Bekele, Kelvin Kiptum, Birhanu Legese and Mosinet Geremew - all participated.

Bekele, an Ethiopian, is the number two marathon runner in the world with a time of 2 hours 1 minute 41 seconds. Kiptum, a Kenyan born in 1999, has the best first-time performance in history, when he finished first in Valencia Marathon 2022 with 2 hours 1 minute 53 seconds.

Legese and Geremew are world number four and five runners respectively. Two feet running Ethiopia has a personal record (PB) of 2 hours 2 minutes 48 seconds and 2 hours 2 minutes 55 seconds.

Amos Kipruto, from Kenya, will return to defend the throne in 2022. It is the biggest victory of the 30-year-old runner's career and also the first time to win a World Marathon Majors (WMM) - system six of the biggest races on the planet, including London, Berlin, Tokyo, Boston, New York City and Chicago. Kipruto's PB is 2 hours 3 minutes 13 seconds.

"Winning the London Marathon last year was a great experience. I'm working hard to prepare for this year, can't wait to get back there and finish first again," the male runner said. "London has always been a difficult tournament and I know there are challenges along the way, but I still feel confident."

Tamirat Tola, the 2022 world athletics champion in the US, will be one of Kipruto's big obstacles. The 31-year-old runner is in good form, winning the Amsterdam Marathon 2021 and finishing third at the Tokyo Marathon, behind Kipchoge and Kipruto. His PB is 2 hours 3 minutes 39 seconds.

The outstanding representative of the host country is Mo Farah, who has won four Olympic gold medals in athletics. This will be a memorable tournament for Farah, who holds the national record of 2 hours 5 minutes 11 seconds, as he intends to retire after the 2023 season. Male runner has competed in the London Marathon three times, good record. especially about the third of 2018.

"I am very disappointed that I cannot participate in the October 2022 tournament due to injury. I am very happy that this year's tournament will be held in April, because I did not have to wait a year," said Mo Farah, 39. "I don't think I would have achieved such a good record without the fans."

Yuki Kawauchi, the Japanese runner who won the Boston Marathon in 2018, also participated in the London Marathon. This will be Kawauchi's 114th marathon, and notably, he has won 41 races. If he completes this year's London Marathon, Kawauchi will be eligible to receive the WMM's hexagonal medal, a special medal for runner-ups in all 6 WMM tournaments.

The women's content of London Marathon also has a series of bright faces, according to the organizers, in which Sifan Hassan, a Dutchman of Ethiopian origin, will have his first competition in the marathon distance.

Hassan holds the world records for the distances of one mile (4 minutes 12.33 seconds), 5,000 meters in flats (14 minutes 44 seconds) and running in one hour (18.93 km). She also won a medal. gold distance of 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a series of other world and European titles.

Hassan says she's "entering an area of ​​uncertainty" because the runner has never run more than 33 kilometers.

The challenge Hassan faces is huge, because this year's London Marathon also has the participation of three world records, Brigid Kosgei, Yalemzerf Yehualaw and Genzebe Dibaba. Kosgei won the 2022 tournament and is currently the fastest female runner on the planet, with a time of 2 hours 14 minutes 4 seconds, while Yehualaw and Dibaba hold the records of 10,000 m and 1,500 m respectively. Peres Jepchirchir, winner of the 2022 Berlin Marathon and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will also participate.

"I'm considering plans for the 2024 Paris Olympics," Hassan said. "Before I make a final decision, I need to challenge myself in the marathon and London is the best place, with a series of strong opponents."

Hugh Brasher, event director for the London Marathon, said he couldn't wait until April 23.

"This is the greatest gathering of female marathoners ever seen. We have two Olympic champions, three world records and many national record holders," he said.