Kenyans dominate the men’s field of elite athletes looking for glory in the London marathon on Sunday.
Kenyan athletes look to continue London marathon dominance
Kenya has produced a winner of the men’s London marathon 10 times in the last dozen years and their dominance of the event doesn’t look to subside in the 2016 event on Sunday.
Reigning champion Eliud Kipchoge and course record holder, two-times winner Wilson Kipsang, will be amongst the favourites.
“Yes, I think of the previous performances against these guys (at London marathon) I have run very well. I have got lots of experience from winning this race twice and of the guys running I am the only one to have won twice. I know the course very well and I am really very positive,” Kipsang said.
Kenya will hope to be able to send a team to the Rio Olympics, although they are currently under huge scrutiny by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Kenyan parliament passed a new anti-doping law on Tuesday and President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to sign it into law this week.
#Kenya's London marathon hopefuls welcome new doping law https://t.co/Kk4yHYYppF— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) April 21, 2016
The news has been welcomed.
“I am happy for the country at the passing of the bill. Soon it will be assented by the president to become the law and now the question of restricting Kenya from Rio is out of the question. That is my happiness,” Eliud Kipchoge said.
Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie is expected to be the main challenger to the Kenyans.
More than 35,000 people are expected to take part in the 36th edition of the London marathon, one of the largest mass-participation events in the world.