Kenyans Vow to Trounce Ethiopians at London Marathon

By Staff Writer

NAIROBI---Three-time London Marathon champion Martin Lel will lead the charge as Kenya attempts to wrestle back the London marathon crown from last year’s winner, Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia in the first marathon major of the year, live on SuperSport.

The diminutive Ethiopian upstaged a strong Kenyan line up to win the 2010 title becoming only the second Ethiopian to win the race and the rivalry between the two Eastern African nations will again take centre stage in the streets of London.

Lel was a late addition to the field after Olympic champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru withdrew due to injury. Having not competed in London since 2008 due to several nagging injuries, Lel will be eager to prove that he still has that devastating burst of speed in the final stages of the race.

As ever the field reads as a who’s who in marathon running with six men in the field having dipped under 2 hours 6 minutes.

Emmanuel Mutai has been consistent in the race having finished fourth twice before improving to second place last year and could finally go all the way, “I know my time is on the way and London could be my moment,” he said.

Rotterdam and Berlin champion Patrick Makau, who is also the fourth fastest in history with 2:04:48; and reigning world champion Abel Kirui, who finished fifth last year will be on show. Makau in particular has slowly improved over the last few years and will be the dark horse in the race.

Other than Kebede, Kenyans will have to contend with Ethiopian Bazu Worku, Morocco’s Abderrahime Bouramdane and Jaouad Gharib, two-time New York winner Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil; and Viktor Röthlin, the Swiss runner who took the European title in Barcelona.

In the women’s race, reigning New York marathon champion Edna Kiplagat, will lead the Kenyan ladies ably supported by Mary Keitany who was third in her marathon debut in New York last year. Keitany is in great shape after shattering the world half marathon record early this year.

Kenyan born Dutchwoman Lornah Kiplagat who was fifth in 2007 makes a comeback while defending champion Liliya Shobukhova will start as favourite.  2007 champion Zhou Chunxiu and Bai Xue will lead the Chinese charge while Olympic champion Constantina Dita will make her tenth appearance in the race. The race will be broadcast live on SuperSport on Sunday April 17 at 9.50 GMT.