Africa's best men's marathon runners face off at London Marathon

Amos Kipruto won the 2022 London Marathon

Africa's best men's marathon runners face off at London Marathon

Funmilayo Fameso 17:09 - 03.02.2023

The organisers of the TCS London Marathon have released a star-studded list in the men's events, that features Africa's best marathon runners.

Africa's best men's marathon runners will line up for the London Marathon, and for the first time in history, two men who have run inside 2:02 will be together on the same start line on April 23.

The road race event also known as World Athletics Platinum Label will feature Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, the second-fastest man ever with a Personal Best (PB) of 2:01:41, and Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, the winner of the 2022 Valencia Marathon and the fastest marathon debutant in history (2:01:53) have been confirmed for the race.

Kenensia Bekele is the second fastest marathon runner ever

Also on the list are the Ethiopian duo of Birhanu Legese (2:02:48) and Mosinet Geremew (2:02:55). It means the 2023 London Marathon will have four of the five fastest men in marathon history on the start line.

Defending Champion Amos Kipruto of Kenya and reigning World Champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia will also be competing in London, along with multiple World and Olympic champion Mo Farah, who has hinted he may be retiring after the race.

Amos Kipruto is the defending champion

There is two-time New York Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor, who will be one of several men aiming to prevent Kipruto from winning back-to-back titles.

Tola, 31, won the 2021 Amsterdam Marathon and finished third at the 2022 Tokyo Marathon (behind Kipchoge and Kipruto) before winning his world title last summer.

Tamirat Tola is the reigning World marathon champion from Oregon

Included in the field are last year’s runner-up Leul Gebresilase of Ethiopia and the second-placed finisher in London in the 2020 and 2021 editions, Vincent Kipchumba.

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