Martin Lel, seen here winning the London Marathon in April, will defend his title next year. © www.photorun.net
Kenyan Martin Lel will run the Flora London Marathon on April 13 as defending champion. Race director David Bedford announced Lel’s entry along with the initial start list for the elite men’s field. Martin Lel, who was also triumphant at the ING New York City Marathon at the start of November, becoming the first man to win both races in the same year, will meet among others the former world record holder Paul Tergat of Kenya (2:04:55 hours). Lel’s best time is 2:06:14.
Five more runners recruited for London have also run under 2:07:30: Felix Limo (2:06:14), Emmanuel Mutai (2:06:29), both from Kenya, Hendrick Ramaala of South Africa (2:06:55), the double world champion Jaouad Gharib of Morocco (2:07:02) and the Olympic champion Stefano Baldini of Italy (2:07:22). Reigning world champion Luke Kibet from Kenya (2:08:52) and the American Meb Keflezighi (2:09:53), who missed qualifying for Beijing at the U.S. Olympic Trials, are also on the start list.
“This is certainly one of the best field we’ve ever had for the men,” said David Bedford. The 29-year-old Martin Lel can become the third man after Dionicio Ceron (Mexico) and Antonio Pinto (Portugal) to win the London Marathon for a third time. “I know it will be very hard, but I like the London race and am confident I can win it again,” said Lel.
Lornah Kiplagat to Run in Dubai
Haile Gebrselassie won’t be running his last marathon before the Olympic Games in Beijing in London, but in Dubai next month. The Ethiopian world record holder (2:04:26) had to drop out of London in April because of a pollen allergy. The race in Dubai takes place on January 18.
Lornah Kiplagat has also decided to run the Dubai Marathon. The Dutch runner has clearly not reached the end of her potential in the marathon. The 33-year-old’s personal best is 2:22:22, set almost five years ago. She was fifth in London in April in 2:24:46. This autumn the world cross country champion improved the world record at the World Half Marathon Championships to 66:25 minutes.
Ryan Hall, Kara Goucher Tie for U.S. Award
Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher have tied for first in Running USA Wire’s 10 Best Moments for U.S. Distance Running in 2007. Hall was recognized for his performance at the Olympic Marathon Trials in New York on November 3. Winning in 2:09:02, he not only broke a Trials record set before he was born, but also achieved the biggest margin in the history of the race, 2:05. Goucher was honored after finishing a surprise third at 10,000m at the World Championships in Osaka. Her bronze medal was the first for the U.S. over the 25-lap distance since the World Championships were first staged in 1983.
