Kenenisa, Kipchoge duel as London Marathon organizers confirm race for Oct 4

Addis Ababa, August 7, 2020 (FBC) – The long awaited duel between the world’s two fastest marathoners, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele and Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has been confirmed for October 4 after organizers for the London Marathon announced the race will go on despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The race had initially been set for April 26 but was shelved as the world grappled with the virus.

However, this year’s race will only feature elite athletes who will compete in a bio-secure environment.

“Elite races for men, women and wheelchair athletes will take place on an enclosed looped course in St James’s Park in a secure biosphere and times will be eligible for Olympic qualification,” Kenya’s Capital FM quoted a statement from the organizers on Thursday evening as saying.

Women’s world record holder Brigid Kosgei has also been confirmed for the race and will headline the women’s field.

The organizers further said there will be no spectator access to maintain the biosphere but BBC Sport plans to broadcast eight hours of coverage during the day.

Also, London Marathon will move from its usual April date to Sunday 3 October to give the best chance for the mass race to return in 2021.