Shura Kitata of Ethiopia and Kenya's Brigid Kosgei will be defending their titles in the London marathon on October 3, 2021. Kitata pulled out of the Tokyo Olympic marathon this month, while Brigid won a silver medal.
The resilient Kitata will face stiff competition from last year's runner up Vincent Kipchumba of Kenya and his compatriots Evans Chebet. The latter was ranked the fastest marathoner last year after winning the Valencia marathon in scintillating 2:03:00.
Titus Ekiru, the fastest man this year with massive 2:02:57 wants to joins the list of Kenyans who have won the London marathon. The fastest man in the stellar lineup is Birhanu Legese of Ethiopia With 2:02:48, Legese won the Tokyo marathon last year in 2:04:15.
World record holder Brigid Kosgei, will not have the time to celebrate her Tokyo Olympic silver medal. Instead she will be burning the mid-night oil in bid to win the London marathon for the third consecutive time. She too, will have an uphill task due to the formidable line up assembled.
Men's start list.
- Birhanu Legese ETH 2:02:48
- Mosinet Geremew ETH 2:02:55
- Titus Ekiru KEN 2:02:57
- Evans Cnebet KEN 2:03:00
- Mule Wasihun ETH 2:03:16
- Sisay Lemma ETH 2:03:36
- Kinde Atenaw ETH 2:03:51
- Shura Kitata ETH 2:04:49
- Vincent Kipchumba KEN 2:05:09
- Tristan Woodfine CAN 2:10:51
Women.
- Brigid Kosgei KEN 2:14:04
- Rosa Dereje ETH 2:18:30
- Birhane Dibaba ETH 2:18:35
- Joyciline Jepkosgei KEN 2:18:40
- Valary Jemeli KEN 2:19:10
- Degitu Azimeraw ETH 2:19:26
- Zaineba Yimer ETH 2:19:28
- Tigist Girma ETH 2:19:52
- Ashete Bekere ETH 2:20:14
- Alemu Megertu ETH 2:21:10
- Sinead Diver AUS 2:24:11
- Allie Kieffer USA 2:28:12
