London Marathon preview: Bekele wants records
Published Fri 21 Apr 2017
Ethiopian distance star Kenenisa Bekele is unlikely to break the two-hour mark in the London Marathon on Sunday, but he is eyeing off the course and world records in the English capital.
The 34-year-old ran the quickest time of 2016 with his 2:03:03 in Berlin, just six seconds outside Dennis Kimetto’s world record, and two seconds slower than Eliud Kipchoge’s record London run last year.
He has trained hard and uninterrupted since pulling out of the Dubai marathon at halfway in January after taking a tumble at the start line which affected his race.
“I am in just as good shape as I was in Berlin last year,†the second fastest marathoner of all time said.
“I think I can improve my personal best, that would be perfect for me.
“Of course, in a marathon anything can happen, but I can say I am ready and full of confidence.â€
Contenders in the men's field include last year's Dubai and Hamburg Marathon champion Tesfaye Abera, 2016 Olympic silver medallist Feyisa Lilesa and two-time world champion Abel Kirui from Kenya.
Bedan Karoki will make his debut over the distance with very impressive personal bests of 26:52.36 for 10,000m and 59:10 in the half marathon.
The women’s race is arguably the best marathon field ever assembled with four having already broken 2:20 not including 5000m world record holder Tirunesh Dibaba and Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot who is on debut.
In total eight have run faster than 2:22 and Kenyan distance dynamo Mary Keitany has not ruled out dipping under the women only marathon world record of 2:17:42, set by Paula Radcliffe in 2005.
“I’ve trained enough… I’m ready to race on Sunday,†the 35-year-old said.
“If the weather is fine for us, and we cooperate, I think we will run a great time.
“Cooperation means working with the pacemakers, and if we make sure that one person doesn’t go it alone, we will run well.â€
Locals aiming for a spot on World Championships team
For the British men there are still two marathon spots remaining on the team for the world championships in London later this year, with the mark of 2:16 as the qualifying standard.
Eritrean-born Brit Tsegai Tewelde, former European 10,000m silver medallist Chris Thompson and London 2012 Olympian Scott Overall will likely be the main contenders for the two positions on the line.
On the women's side, Charlotte Purdue will be looking to break 2:30 in her third marathon, while Jo Pavey at 43-years-old has not ruled out running a personal best in her first marathon in six years.
The mother of two and five-time Olympian who ran 2:28 twice back in 2011 will be aiming to qualify for the world championships later this year in August.
Aussies want personal bests and qualifiers
A number of Australia’s frontline marathoners will be hoping a fast London course can give them a personal best or at least putting a time in the bank to go towards qualifying for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Lisa Weightman, bronze medallist from the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, will return to the streets of London with good memories from her 16th place finish at the 2012 Olympics.
The 38-year-old with a personal best of 2:26:05 will be joined by fellow Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jess Trengove who is fully fit after an extended period of managing injuries.
Also in the women’s race are fellow Australians Melanie Panayiotou, Commonwealth Games representative in 2014, and debutant Casey Wood.
Michael Shelley will be hoping that putting up a time that would qualify him for the Commonwealth Games in his home state, where he will be the defending champion, will be a formality entering the race with a personal best of 2:11:15.