The name of the Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge is missing from the list of elite runners who will be competing at this year’s London Marathon which is set to happen on October 3.

The organizers have today released a stellar list that has women’s world record holder Brigid Kosgei and men’s champion Shura Kitata of Ethiopia.

Kipchoge, who retained his Olympic marathon crown at the recently concluded Tokyo Games, finished eighth at the 2020 London Marathon, recording 2:06:49 more than a minute behind winner Shura Kitata and he was expected to return to London to try and reclaim the title he won in 2019.

Brigid Kosgei who is the Olympic silver medalist will be competing against New York City Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei and six other women who have run under two hours and 20 minutes in an attempt to win her third successive London Marathon after victories in 2019 and 2020.

Joyciline Jepkosgei set a new personal record of 2:18:40 last December at the Valencia Marathon, where she finished second to Olympic champion Peres Chepchirchir.

In the men’s race, Shura Kitata who pulled out of the Olympic Games marathon last weekend after suffering in the hot and humid conditions in Sapporo will face other men as he seeks to defend his title.

Kitata bagged victory ahead of Kenya’s Vincent Kipchumba and both will be meeting again in the contested race in October with Sisay Lemma who will also be in the race.

50,000 runners are expected in the mass race and another 50,000 around the world will take on the virtual event, completing the 26.2 miles on the route of their choice any time between 00:00 and 23:59:59.

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