Elite coordinator talks about London Marathon field, believes Bekele unlikely

Mo Geb Bekele

Running fans may not get the heavyweight showdown they were hoping for this spring.

Elite athlete director for the London Marathon, and former race director, David Bedford, believes it is unlikely Kenenisa Bekele will participate in London for his marathon debut. Bedford is not against the idea, but simply that he has not heard from the runner and is unsure how the rumours started.

He also talked about Mo Farah’s confirmed marathon debut in London, and the hype around Britain over it.

“If anyone thinks this will be a walk in the park for Mo Farah they need to think again,” Bedford, who was once the world record holder in the 10,000m himself, told BBC. “This will probably be the most competitive and hardest race he’s ever been in.”

Bedford notes that the London marathon is often more difficult to win than world championships, and this year the field will contain the reigning world and Olympic champion and the current world record holder in the marathon, along with 12 other runners who have run faster than 2:08:20.

The London Marathon will be held on April 13, 2014.

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