Kenyan Aims for Record Fourth Win in Marathon

Defending London Marathon champion, Martin Lel, will be among 36,000 entrants including a host of celebrities

Gordon Ramsay, the celebrity chef, Katie Price, the glamor model, and Gail Emms, the badminton star are among a host of celebrities joining 36,000 runners at the London Marathon today. Among the top athletes, Martin Lel, 30, the defending champion who last year set a record of 2:05:15, will become the first person to win the race four times if he is successful today.

His biggest threat comes from Sammy Wanjiru, a fellow Kenyan and an Olympic gold medalist. British hopes are pinned on 35-year-old Mara Yamauchi in the women's race.

Millions are expected to watch the race over its 26.2 miles from Greenwich to The Mall. A record 155,000 runners applied to compete this year. Triple Olympic track cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy will start the race, which aims to raise money for charity, at 9.45am.

Discuss Email Article

Use the feedback form below to submit your comments.

Use the form below to email this article to your friends.

Recipient Email Address:
	Separate multiple email addresses by ;
Your Name:
Your Email Address: