Copyright – 2021 – Athletics Illustrated
Marathon world record holder, Brigid Kosgei (2:14:04, 2019 Chicago), of Kenya and Ethiopian, Shura Kitata, will defend their titles at the London Marathon in October. However, men’s world record holder and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge is out, organisers said on Thursday.
Kosgei earned silver in the women’s marathon in Tokyo last week. The 27-year-old is aiming for her third consecutive London Marathon victory.
“Last year’s win was very special, particularly given what the whole world was going through … I hope to arrive again in very good shape and win for the third time,”
Traditionally, the London Marathon has been run in the month of April, however, due to COVID-19 the event was moved to the first Sunday of October in the year 2020. London again will be contested in October for 2021 on Sunday the 3rd.
Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata also returns. He defeated Eliud Kipchoge to win the 2020 men’s race.
Kitata has run the London Marathon as fast as 2:04:49. He finished second in 2018, fourth in 2019 and is the 2020 defending champion. The route was very different in 2020 with athletes running a short loop around St. James Park.
Kipchoge has been heard talking to a journalist about thoughts of retirement and growing his family. He was non-committal on competing and the 36-year-old’s name has been left off the elite list for this year’s event.
This year’s edition will involve 50,000 runners completing the traditional course from Blackheath to The Mall.
