As the London Marathon startline looms, Sport.co.uk looks forward to enjoying the action from the comfort of the sofa, neither a gel bar nor a singlet in sight. One man who will not be sharing our slothful enjoyment is a certain Martin Lel. The Kenyan, winner of the race in 2005, 2007 and 2008, has been forced to pull out of the race for the second year in a row, citing a leg injury. Picking a marathon winner can prove trickier than explaining cricket to our cousins across the Atlantic, with some runner’s clearly enjoying England’s microclimate more than others. Nevertheless, the following men look most likely to profit from Lel’s absence.
Sammy Wanjiru (KEN)
The current London Marathon Record holder, in 2hr 5min 10sec, and one who clearly likes the course. Still just 23-years-old, what Wanjiru has achieved in his short time on the international circuit is nothing short of phenomenal. Focussing on the ‘shorter’ distances until 2008, he tasted success in claiming world records in both the half-marathon category and 20km distances. Stepping up to the full distance in time for Beijing, he won Olympic gold in record time, becoming the first Kenyan to do so. He doesn’t possess the fastest Marathon time in the field, but certainly represents a big occasion runner. It will take a massive effort to wrestle last year’s title away from him.
Duncan Kibet (KEN)
You could be forgiven for not knowing who this talented athlete is – he comes into London very much under the radar. Surprising, given he is in possession of the second fastest Marathon time ever of 2-04.27. Running competitively since 2002, he hasn’t achieved sustained success since the Vienna Marathon in 2008. His tussle at last year’s Rotterdam Marathon, setting that momentous time, ensured his embrace into the inner-sanctums of the long distance fraternity, that closeted world of nipple protectors and flapping shorts. 2010 could well be the year he enters household vernacular.
Abel Kirui (KEN)
Littering the record books across Europe in recent years, he allegedly only turned to running seriously thanks to a drive by his local police force. Since then, both the athletics world and the underworld have profited from his career choice. He made 2009 his year, in not only claiming gold at the World’s in Berlin, but being a willing participant in the Rotterdam duel with Kibet. Lining up on the start line with a PB of 2-05.04, and relishing a dogfight to the end, he should do well in London.
Tsegaye Kebede (ETH)
The textbook tells us that Marathon runners hit their peaks in their 30s, due to the accumulation of stamina, strength and other such nuggets of science. With this milestone some way off for both Kirui and Kebede, this textbook is starting to look rather exposed. The first Ethiopian on the list, he follows in a rich history of distance runners, notably Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele and Miruts Yifter. With a career showing undoubted promise so far- notably a bronze in the Marathon at Beijing and victory in Fukuoka 2009 – he should stretch a world-class line up.
Jaouad Gharib (MOR)
Arguably the least touted in the list, it would be a mistake to discount a man who has achieved gold in the Paris and Helsinki Worlds, alongside a silver in Beijing. Best remembered for his sprint finish at the end of Chicago 2007, Gharib is a fierce competitor who has continually been on the podium in recent years. Would be an outside bet for the gold, but providing the weather lends itself to a tactical battle, could well challenge for third.