He was backed in his prediction by fellow Kenyans Martin Lel, the triple London champion, and Wilson Kipsang.

Commenting on whether or not he believed the landmark time would fall during the course of his career, Mutai (pictured top, in foreground) – whose preparations were undermined in March when he suffered from typhoid – responded: "If not by one of us then maybe by someone from the younger generation.

"But I think it will happen."

Kipsang, who missed the world record by four seconds in winning the Frankfurt Marathon last October, commented: "It is not easy but it is not impossible."

Lel (pictured below, fourth from right, alongside, from left, Mutai, Patrick Makau, Abel Kirui, Kipsang and Vincent Kipruto), at 33 the oldest of the six leading Kenyans competing on Sunday, added: "It is not in sight yet.

"But at the same time we see how the times have come down so maybe it will come."

The trio was joined at the pre-race press conference by compatriots Abel Kirui, the world champion, Patrick Makau, who set the world record of 2hr 03min 38sec when winning in Berlin last year, and Vincent Kipruto, the world silver medallist.

But if there was a measure of agreement on the possibility of a sub two-hour marathon, there was a difference of opinion over the relevance of the forthcoming race to Kenya's Olympic selection process, which will have to narrow down to three choices by the end of this month.


It is no easy task, considering the outstanding depth of talent in this event.

"I don't see London as a way of qualifying for the Olympics," said Mutai.

"[This is] because the London Marathon course is different from the Olympic course."

He added: "There will be more to the situation. You may be in the top three here, but it is difficult to say what the selectors will do."

Makau and Lel stressed that other elements would be involved in the selectors' decision-making process.

"The selectors will consider many other factors as well as the London result," said Makau, while Lel added: "London will be a marker but there will be many others."

Kipruto, however, maintained that victory on Sunday would be enough to ensure a return to the roads of the capital this summer: "I think if one of us wins in London they will be at the Olympics.

"If you are [placed] two, three or four it will be at the discretion of the selectors."

Kipsang added: "I think it will be like the Kenyan trials in London."

Meanwhile, Kenya's world champion, Edna Kiplagat, insisted that she has strong hopes of taking the women's title from compatariot Mary Keitany.


Kiplagat (pictured above, centre, alongside, from left, Keitany, Florence Kiplagat, Prisca Jeptoo and Lucy Kabuu) may not be the fastest woman in the field for this year's event but after winning the New York title in 2010 and the World Championships in Daegu last summer she has every reason to be confident ahead of Sunday's race.

Which is exactly how she sees it.

"I don't fear anyone here," said Kiplagat, as she sat between four fellow Kenyans, all with realistic hopes of topping the podium.

Kiplagat, who broke through with victory in the 2010 New York Marathon, is only the seventh fastest woman in the field and has yet to break the 2hr 20min mark.

But she believes she's in prime shape to improve on her third-place finish here last year.

"My preparations mean I am fully confident," she said.

"I have been training very well since January and haven't had any problems.

"Of course, everybody has prepared well, but I am ready to run without fear.

"I think what I have done in training is enough, so I don't fear anyone."

With a place in Kenya's Olympic team on the line, Kiplagat and her compatriots have extra incentive to run well this year.

Six women were named in a provisional Olympic squad by the Kenyan selectors in January and three of those athletes will compete in London – a race that's been dubbed the 'unofficial' Olympic trial.

Lucy Kabuu was not among those names, but after running an excellent debut in Dubai earlier this year the former Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion is hoping to change the selectors' minds with another stunning performance.

In Dubai, Kabuu finished just three seconds behind the winner in 2hr 19min 34sec – one of the quickest ever debuts and one of the fastest 10 of all time.

"I was in good shape in Dubai," she recalled, with a touch of understatement.

"I have prepared well for this race too.

"Of course the race will be very competitive but I hope to be among the leaders.

"I will need to break the national record on Sunday to make the Kenyan Olympic team."

Florence Kiplagat clocked 2 hours 19min 44sec to win the Berlin Marathon last September when she beat double London champion Irina Mikitenko, who will also be running on Sunday, and world record holder Paula Radcliffe with a bold front-running display.

That was the third quickest time in the world last year, but Kiplagat pointed out she will  have to run even quicker in London to make the Kenyan team.

"I have a target - I need to improve my time," she said.

"The field is full, and it will be very competitive, but I will just try to run my own race."

The Virgin London Marathon – which has drawn a field of 35,000 runners – starts from Greenwich Park at 9.30am.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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