Olympic marathon champion targets world record
Olympic marathon champion Sammy Wanjiru hungry for world record in London
Martin Lel's bid to become the first runner to win the London Marathon four times has been hampered by an aching hip, although he still plans to run in Sunday's race.
The 30-year-old Kenyan, the two-time defending champion who also won in 2005, is due to have an MRI scan on the injury.
"I had a bit of a problem but I don't know if it will affect me," he said at a news conference on Wednesday. "I am still confident of running on Sunday but I will wait for the results."
Reigning champion Martin Lel will return to defend his Flora London Marathon title on April 26, 2009 against one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a big city race.
After victories in 2005, 2007 and 2008, Lel is aiming to become the first man to win four London Marathons and only the second man to win three in a row, following the Mexican Dionicio Ceron who had three straight victories between 1994 and 1996.
Tadese debut
Yet, many will have their eyes on a debutant – Zersenay Tadese. The Eritrean is the reigning three World title holder on the roads at 20km (2006) and half marathon (2007 and 2008), former World Cross Country champion, and the 2004 Olympic 10,000m bronze medalist.
The 2009 men’s elite field and best times
Martin Lel KEN 2:05:15__Sammy Wanjiru KEN 2:05:24__Abderrahim Goumri MAR 2:05:30__Khalid Khannouchi USA 2:05:36__Felix Limo KEN 2:06:14__Emmanuel Mutai KEN 2:06:15__Tsegaye Kebede ETH 2:06:40__Hendrick Ramaala RSA 2:06:55__JJaouad Gharib MAR 2:07:02__Yonas Kifle ERI 2:07:34__Tessema Abshiro ETH 2:08:26__Dathan Ritzenhein USA 2:11:06__Zersenay Tadese ERI Debut__Hicham Bellani MAR Debut
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