Kenenisa Bekele added to the London Marathon lineup, to face Eliud Kipchoge

Kenenisa Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge [Courtesy]

Ethiopian long-distance runner Kenenisa Bekele has been added to the London Marathon lineup set to take place on April 26.

Bekele will now face Eliud Kipchoge whose World record the Ethiopian great came 2 seconds shy of breaking last year.

It is the first time in five years that the world’s top two ranked marathoners will toe the start line in the same 26.2-mile race.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Bekele said he was excited and looking forward to an eventful showdown.

“I am looking forward to racing against Eliud once again. We have had many great battles over the years on the track, roads and cross-country. He is a special athlete who proved that again with his magnificent achievements last year.

“I feel like my win in Berlin proved that I am still capable of winning the biggest races in the world and in world-class times. I am really looking forward to what I can do in London,” stated Bekele.

Kipchoge, who became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in an unofficial race Vienna in October, is seeking a record fifth London title.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (R) and British cyclist and Tour de France winner Chris Froome pose in the finish area after the "Ineos 1:59 Challenge: Sub-Two Marathon Attempt" after Kipchoge busted the mythical two-hour barrier for the marathon on October 12, 2019, in Vienna. - With a timing of 1hr 59min 40.2sec, the Olympic champion became the first ever to run a marathon in under two hours. [Photo by HERBERT NEUBAUER / APA / AFP]

The London Marathon has historically been the world’s second-fastest record-eligible marathon behind Berlin. Kipchoge owns the course record of 2:02:37.

Kipchoge is the world record holder in the Berlin marathon with a time of 2:01:39, set on 16 September 2018.

The greatest marathoner of the modern era (Kipchoge) has won 11 of the 12 official marathons he has participated.

Bekele is the current world record and Olympic record holder in both the 5000-metre and 10,000-metre events.

He won the gold medal in both the 5000m and 10,000m events at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

It's happening. ????#LondonMarathon #EliteWeek pic.twitter.com/rQcmsUguTv — Virgin Money London Marathon (@LondonMarathon) January 16, 2020