Virgin London Marathon 2011

I think it's about time we got a thread underway on the highly anticipated London marathon this Sunday which has assembled world-class fields in both the men's and women's races, promising fascinating battles for the spoils and sizzling times in the process. So here's the respective official link of the big annual event in the streets of London:

http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/

David Bedford on the men's marathon race:

http://lrn.london-marathon.com/david-bedford-elite-mens-field/

David Bedford on the women's marathon race:

http://lrn.london-marathon.com/race-director-david-bedford-elite-womens-field/

Women's favourite Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) has her sights set on Paula Radcliffe as she is heading into Sunday's race against the likes of Irina Mikitenko (GER), Edna Kiplagat and fellow Kenyan Mary Keitany. Apart from defending her title, she will be aiming to dip under the mighty barrier of 2h20 for the first ever time:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/athletics/london-marathon/8448580/London-Marathon-2011-Liliya-Shobukhova-keeps-her-sights-set-firmly-on-the-absent-Paula-Radcliffe.html

The Russian will be facing Radcliffe over 10km on the road in the Great Mancheste Run next month looking to gain an edge over ther great opponent leading up to the Olympics next year. So far, the Brit is 1-0 up in between them contests but the two haven't clashed since the European Cup back in 2004.

After Olympic champion Samuel Wanjiru's earlier withdrawal, Ethiopia's Bazu Worku has emerged as the latest casualty just three days before the race. The 20-year-old who was third in Berlin in a classy 2h05:25 last September has gone down to food poisoning.

http://www.morethanthegames.co.uk/athletics/1414400-london-marathon-rising-star-worku-forced-out-with-food-poisoning

I better give you the time of the race and channel so you do not go to the wrong BBC you will need to go to BBC2 at 8.30am then hop over to BBC1 at 10.15am.

Thankyou Speedyskells!

Middle distance legend Steve Cram says that London marathon never fails to deliver on all levels of competition so calls on the public to take a closer warmer interest into a race with so many different and even touching stories to show through the entire length of the field, known and unknown.

Further, he looks through the fields and gives a short account of whom he reckons as favourites and whom he sees likely to succeed among British runners chasing qualifying times for the World Championships in Daegu, as well as London in the longer run.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/9458472.stm

Olympic bronze medallist Tsegaye Kebede, Ethiopia, regards that a world record could be possible if weather conditions are behind the athletes on Sunday:

http://www.supersport.com/athletics/running/news/110415/World_record_possible_at_London_Kebede

Here is a preview of the incorporated separate race between British runners for places on the team to the world championships to Daegu, as well as securing early qualifying times for the Olympic Games in London next year.

http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/april-2011/15-04-11-marathon/

Former 400m stars Iwan Thomas and Jamie Baulch will be renewing their rivalry in a far friendlier tone after many years on a multiple times further distance tomorrow, both on charity duties:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-1377405/Iwan-Thomas-Jamie-Baulch-head-head-London-Marathon.html?ITO=1490&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailymail%2Fothersports+%28Other+Sports+|+Mail+Online%29

Great Steve Cram talking on covering of the London Marathon:

http://lrn.london-marathon.com/steve-cram-his-preparations-broadcasting-london-ma/

I've got to say that I always like to hear this man's views, he's always got so much to say!

You can follow the London marathon action also through BBC's live text commentary, as Mary Keitany looks well headed for a time inside 2h20 in the women's race!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/9459871.stm

Mary Keitany sweeps up the Mall to finish on top of affairs in a absolute world-class 2h19:18, the fourth fastest time ever in the event. Amazingly enough, though, it's not good enough for a national record as Catherine Ndereba still maintains a tight hold on that with 2h18:47 from Chicago a decade ago.

Jo Pavey crosses the finish line in an excellent debut of 2h28:23 to effectively clinch her place on the plane to Daegu, as does a rejuvenated Louise Damen who sneaks under 2h30 by a mere second some distance behind, a personal best. Well done to both, British marathon running looks on the up again!

As BBC also reports, Jo Pavey's 2h28:23 is the seventh fastest time ever recorded over the distance by a British girl, so here is how the respective list has shaped up:

1.Paula Radcliffe 2h15:25 (World Best)
2.Mara Yamauchi 2h23:12
3.Veronique Marot 2h25:56
4.Priscilla Welch 2h26:51
5.Liz McColgan 2h26:52
6.Sarah Powell 2h28:06
7.Jo Pavey 2h28:24
8.Liz Yelling 2h28:33
9.Sally-Ann Hales 2h28:38
10.Kathy Butler 2h28:39

Emanuel Mutai storms home to make it a smashing double of victories in the London streets today in a new course record of 2h04:38, fourth fastest time in history. But, mind you, still 'only' third Kenyan ever!

Lee Merrien was the first Brit home in a personal best of 2h14:25 to turn equal to Steve Cram's pre-race expectations of him, inside the Team qualifying standard but not the Individual one.

Andrew Lemoncello struggled in the late stages of the race to drag home a place behind in 2h15:23, obviously well outside where he was looking at. That was also inside the Team Standard.

Men's Top Ten Finishers:
1.Emmanuel Mutai (KEN) 2h04:40
2.Martin Lel (KEN) 02h05:45
3.Patrick Makau (KEN) 02h05:45
4.Marlison Gomes Dos Santos (BRA) 02h06:34
5.Tsegaye Kebede (ETH) 2h07:48
6.Jaouad Gharib (MAR) 2h08:26
7.Abderrahime Bouramdane (MAR) 2h08:42
8.Dmitry Safronov (RUS) 2h09:35
9.Serod Bat-Orchir (MGL) 2h11:35
10.Mike Shelley (AUS) 2h11:38

Top Ten Women Placers:

1.Mary Keitany (KEN) 2h19:19
2. Liliya Shobukhova (RUS) 2h20:15
3.Edna Kiplagat (KEN) 2h20:46
4.Bezunesh Bekele (ETH) 2h23:42
5.Atsede Baysa (ETH) 2h23:50
6.Yukiko Akaba (JPN) 2h24:09
7.Irina Mikitenko (GER) 2h24:24
8.Jessica Augusto (POR) 2h24:33
9.Aberu Kebede (ETH) 2h24:34
10.Mariya Konovalova (RUS) 2h25:18

BBC's report on the race:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/9460602.stm

By the way, Susan Partridge edged inside the Team standard in a personal best of 2h34:13 while Louise Damen's time has been rounded up to precisely 2h30:00.

Here's the 5km and mile breakdown of men's winner Emmanuel Mutai's run in London on Sunday:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/display-article?arId=57051

Likewise, here's women's victor Mary Keitany's respective lowdown:
http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/index.php/display-article?arId=57050

...and, of course, let's take Steve Cram's review of London's marathon:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/9461258.stm