Athletics: Bekele joins London Marathon field alongside Kipchoge and Farah

Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele runs during the Men's elite race at the London marathon on April 23, 2017 in London. / AFP PHOTO

Bekele is the world record-holder for 5000m (12:37:35) and 10,000m (26:17:53), the second fastest marathon runner in history (2:03:03) and has three Olympic and five World Championship gold medals.

Bekele has run the past two London Marathons. He finished third in 2016 in 2:06:36 when he admitted he was at just 90 per cent fitness, and was second last year in 2:05:57 behind Daniel Wanjiru.

“I am thrilled to be returning to London for the third year in a row and would love to go one better than last year and win the race,” said Bekele. “Once again London has brought the best distance runners in the world together so I know it will not be easy.

"I have been training very hard with the aim of arriving in London in the best condition.” [IAAF]