Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele tops the list of world-class contenders for the men's race at the 2017 London Marathon to be held on April 23, organisers said on Monday. Bekele missed the world record by just six seconds when he crossed the finish line in the German capital in two hours three minutes and three seconds after a thrilling battle with former world record holder Wilson Kipsang. Bekele made his London Marathon debut last April when he finished third behind the Kenyan duo of Eliud Kipchoge and Stanley Biwott. "London is the greatest marathon in the world and I would love to win there," said Bekele. Also confirmed participants are Bekele's compatriots and Rio Olympic silver medallist and Tokyo Marathon champion Feyisa Lilesa, the 2016 Dubai and Hamburg Marathon champion Tesfaye Abera.

Source: Ethiopian News January 09, 2017 13:38 UTC