London Marathon 2018 preview: Can Mo Farah win on home turf?
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Mo Farah has won a heap of gold medals at the Olympics and the World and European Championships. But he’s never won a marathon. He’s trying to change that at this weekend’s London Marathon.
His only previous attempt at this distance came in the capital four years ago. He finished 2:08:21 to place a respectable eighth.
However, he’s got a lot of ground to make up on the best marathon runners.
Last year’s winner Daniel Wanjiru is back to defend his title.
Fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge will be looking for his third victory in London too. Kipchoge set the course record in 2016 with a time of 2:03:05.
Kenenisa Bekele is always one to watch as well. He’s got the fastest marathon time in the field, just six seconds off the world record.
We’re unlikely to see any records this weekend because of the weather. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 24C, which would make it the hottest-ever London Marathon.
In the women’s race, last year’s winner and world record holder Mary Keitany is chasing a fourth London title.
She’ll be up against Tirunesh Dibaba. Like Farah, Dibaba has gold medals in the 5000m and 10,000m events at the Olympics and World Championships.
Tracy Barlow could be the best British hope here after making real progress over the last few years. The hometown support could inspire her to a very quick time.
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
