History’s best runners clash in London

A combination of two photos shows Kenya's Dennis Kimetto (left) celebrating winning the 41th edition of the Berlin Marathon on September 28, 2014 and Wilson Kipsang celebrating after crossing the finish line to win the Pro Men's division during the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon in Central Park on November 2, 2014 in New York City. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Eight in the men’s race have all run sub 2:O4, one holds the world record while another lost it last year
  • Kipsang warns training partner Kimetto, he will give no quarters, quality women’s race could end up an all-Kenyan duel
  • Athletics world will come to a standstill when training mates, World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto and predecessor Wilson Kipsang clash.
  • Emmanuel Mutai, also dipped into the previous record, coming second in 2:03:13.
  • The four Kenyans now hold four fastest times in marathon.

It has been christened the battle of the century.

That is what this year’s London Marathon on Sunday could live up to when the finest field ever to be assembled in long distance history face-off amidst world records being talked about.

Athletics world will come to a standstill when training mates, World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto and predecessor Wilson Kipsang clash.

The duo are in a fantastic pool of five from Kenya, who have been tipped to carry the day.

Kimetto, 30, broke the world record held by Kipsang at the Berlin Marathon with 2:02:57 and became the first man to run under 2:03 on September 28, last year.

Another Kenyan, Emmanuel Mutai, also dipped into the previous record, coming second in 2:03:13. It’s on the same course on September 29, 2013, where Kipsang, 32, had set the new world record time of 2:03:23, 15 seconds faster than the previous record by another Patrick Makau set in 2011.

FASTEST TIMES

The four Kenyans now hold four fastest times in marathon.

Kimetto went to the top of the 2013/2014 World Marathon Major Series upon his victory in Berlin after previous wins at the 2013 Chicago and 2013 Tokyo. But that changed when Kipsang won the New York City Marathon on November 2 to win the series.

It will be the first time training mates Kimetto and Kipsang will be clashing in full marathon. Kimetto won at 2011 RAK Half Marathon before Kipsang turned the tables in Czech last year.

Emmanuel Mutai, Chicago Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, and Geoffrey Mutai, who was at one time the fastest man in marathon with 2:03.02 in 2011 Boston, complete Kenya’s fantastic five at the London Marathon field.

Kipsang and Kimetto have been training together in Iten and Kapng’etuny. “But let Kimetto know training together and competition will be different. We shall put friendship aside and say everybody for himself,” Kipsang told Kimetto with a telling laughter. “It’s my hope we won’t really monitor each other but go for an open and fast race,” said Kipsang.

The women’s field has Kenya’s four finest women over the distance but just who will conquer London? Will it be Edna Kiplagat, Mary Keitany, Priscah Jeptoo or Florence Kiplagat? Kenyan women have dominated to win the last four events- Keitany in 2011 and 2012, Jeptoo in 2013 and Edna Kiplagat last year.

World champion Edna (2:19:50) could be the defending champion but the return of the Keitany, whose  victory in 2012 in a time of 2:18:37 made her the third fastest in the history of marathon, make her the favourite.