Keitany in race against time: Mary and Bekele have records in mind at the London Marathon

Woman's 1st place finisher Mary Keitany from Kenya crosses the finish line to win the women's division in the TCS New York City Marathon in New York November 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO

The line-up includes two-time Chicago Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat, Helah Kiprop and debutant Vivian Cheruiyot.

Mary Keitany missed out on Olympic selection after finishing ninth at the Virgin Money London Marathon last year, but the two-time champion is back in excellent form and leads arguably the greatest women’s field ever assembled for the IAAF Gold Label Road Race today.

The women’s race includes four runners with sub-2:20 lifetime bests – and four more with lifetime bests in the 2:20-2:21 range. Keitany is the fastest with her African record of 2:18:37 dating back five years and, at 35, she believes Paula Radcliffe’s women’s only world record of 2:17:42 is still within her capacity.

“Cooperation means working with the pacemakers and if we make sure that one person doesn’t go it alone, we will run well. I don’t know about the world record, but we will run the best [women’s only] time.”

Keitany’s chances of becoming the first three-time winner since Radcliffe in 2005 were affected by illness last year before a heavy fall in the latter stages ultimately ended her bid. She atoned for that showing with victory in the New York Marathon in 2:24:26 and arrives fresh from a 1:05:13 lifetime best at the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon, where she defeated some of her rivals in today’s race.

Keitany is one of four Kenyans in the elite race – and all of them have a genuine chance of winning. The line-up features reigning two-time Chicago Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat (2:19:44 PB), world silver medallist Helah Kiprop (2:21:27 PB) and Olympic 5000m champion Vivian Cheruiyot, who is making her much-awaited debut in a city she refers to as her second home.

Cheruiyot, who often trains in Teddington in west London during the track season, has been running up to 150 kilometres per week as well as heeding advice from some of her accomplished compatriots.

“I’ve also received lots of advice and encouragement from Mary and Florence, so I thank them for that,” she said.

Cheruiyot was narrowly beaten at the Lisbon Half Marathon last month by world champion Mare Dibaba, who is at the forefront of a strong Ethiopian challenge. Dibaba is hoping a more conservative racing schedule might prove beneficial as far as her chances are concerned.

“In previous years, I have run three [marathons] in a year, but I haven’t run a marathon since Rio and I have prepared well for this race,” she said. Dibaba has plans to return to London this summer for the World Championships although the marathon will be contested on a different course.

Kenyan runners have won the men’s race eight times in the past decade but a strong Ethiopian triumvirate is tipped for success with last year’s champion Eliud Kipchoge and runner-up Stanley Biwott both absent.

Kenenisa Bekele finished third in 2016, but that was still a fine showing given his abbreviated build-up. Bekele lined up with less than two months’ training in the bank and while expectations were low on his comeback race, Bekele has since won the Berlin Marathon in 2:03:03. He also said he is fully fit again.