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London Marathon Does it Again: Tergat, Gebrselassie, Limo, Gharib, Baldini, Ramaala, Khannouchi, and Keflezighi to Race in 2007
by: Letsrun.com
January 11, 2007


The Flora London Marathon announced its elite field today and the strong field shows why London is the most competitive marathon in the world.

PC151350.JPG
Paul Tergat
(l)

Headlining the field are the two greatest distance runners of the last 10 years, the world record holder in the marathon, Paul Tergat and his chief rival, double Olympic Gold Medallist at 10k, Haile Gebrselassie. This will be the second time Tergat and Gebrselassie have raced in the marathon.. They'll have a tough time topping their first matchup in the marathon, the 2002 London Marathon, which was Gebrselassie's marathon debut. In that race, American Khalid Khannouchi broke the world record to win in 2:05:38, Paul Tergat finished second in 2:05:48 (just off the old world record of 2:05:42), and Gebrselassie was third in 2:06:35, in a marathon debut record time.

Joining Tergat and Gebrselassie are the top 5 returners from last year's race: Felix Limo (who is undefeated in his last two marathons, 2006 London and 2005 Chicago), Martin Lel (winner in 2005 at London and 2003 in NY), Hendrick Ramaala (NY champ in 2005), former world record holder Khalid Khannouchi (who revived his career by running 2:07:04 last year), and Olympic and European champ Stefano Baldini. Throw in the mix 2 time world champion, Jaouad Gharib,Olympic silver medallist American Meb Keflezighi, surprise NY winner Marilson Gomes de Santos, and hometown hero Jon Brown, and it's apparent London is the most competitive marathon in the world.

Meb Keflezighi
Meb Keflezighi

London represents the first time American Meb Keflezighi will run a marathon on a fast marathon course since he rose to stardom with his silver in the Athens Olympics. Since then he has run the tough ING NYC marathon three times (2nd in 2004, 3rd in 2005) and Boston once (3rd in 2006). Meb was scheduled to run London in 2005, but had to withdraw with a hip flexor problem. It will be interesting to see how Meb does against the worlds best on a time trial course. Meb says of running London: "Running the Flora London Marathon will give me a chance to run a fast time and compete against some of the best marathoners in history. I am preparing carefully for this unique opportunity."  

*Another story on Meb: Meb in the Mix at the 2007 Flora London Marathon: "I have to take some risks to achieve something.  Now, a lot of people, the whole Team Meb is trying to help get me ready for London.  It's always about challenge"

Flora London Marathon 2007

Elite men                                                       Fastest times

Paul Tergat (KEN)                                        2:04:55

Khalid Khannouchi (USA)                            2:05:38

Haile Gebrselassie (ETH)                            2:05:56

Felix Limo (KEN)                                          2:06:14

Martin Lel (KEN)                                           2:06:41

Hendrick Ramaala (RSA)                            2:06:55

Jaouad Gharib (MAR)                                  2:07:02

Stefano Baldini (ITA)                                    2:07:22

Benson Cherono (KEN)                               2:07:58

Hicham Chat  (MAR)                                      2:07:59

Marilson Gomes dos Santos (BRA)           2:08:48

Jon Brown (GBR)                                          2:09:31

Meb Keflezighi (USA)                                   2:09:53

Juan Carlos De la Ossa (ESP)                   Debut


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