by Alfonz Juck
London Marathon, photo by London Marathon media
LONDON MARATHON NEWS: Bekele is out
LONDON (GBR): Kenenisa Bekele has withdrawn from the eagerly anticipated clash with Eliud Kipchoge in the Virgin Money London Marathon. The Berlin Marathon champion cited a calf injury. He said: “I was in good shape but then I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two fast training sessions too close together in the last weeks of preparation. I have been having treatment every day since then and I truly believed I would be ready but today it is worse and I now know I cannot race on it.”
LONDON (GBR): Norway´s Sondre Nordstadt Moen is quickest European in the field on Sunday, while Chris Thompson, Ben Connor and Jonny Mellor head the Brits. Jared Ward, Arne Gabius and Daniele Meucci are other names of interest. Mo Farah will be pacing those seeking the Olympic qualification (2:11:30). On the women side from non-Africans, Sara Hall will be looking to bounce back from US trials disappointment. Steph Twell, Tracy Barlow and Lily Partridge head the domestic entries. Sinead Diver, Molly Seidel, Ellie Pashley and Carla Rocha are others looking to break through. The women’s race starts at 7.15am and the men’s at 10.15am, both taking place over 19 laps of St James’s Park.
LONDON (GBR): Former European 10,000m champion Chris Thompson will enjoy the company of former junior rival Mo Farah as he seeks the Olympic qualifier on Sunday. Farah is pacemaker for those chasing the 2:11:30. Thompson said: “I’m actually looking forward to seeing him and hoping he’s pacing to 25 miles. I think it will be interesting to see him running our pace.” From Race Results Weekly.
LONDON (GBR): The President of World Athletics Lord Sebastian Coe will start the elite men’s and women’s races at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday. Lord Coe, who ran the London Marathon in 1991, will be starting the race for the fourth time after previously getting runners under way in 2005, 2006 and 2008.
LONDON (GBR): Nissan has been announced as the Official Vehicle Supplier to the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon. Nissan is providing a number of e-NV200 – the company’s 100% electric van – to use as official lead vehicles during the elite races.
