Farah will run shoulder to shoulder with the world's finest when he hits the Virgin Money London Marathon course on Sunday (April 13).

Speaking to the media today, he did his best to manage expectations.

"In terms of the field, I definitely want to thank [international race director] Dave Bedford for making it an easy race for me," the Briton said with a smile.

"I've gone straight in at the deep end and that's what champions do.

"You don't get it the easy way."

He added: "On Sunday, my first aim is definitely to go after the British record and second see what comes along with it, but mainly it's to try and respect the distance."

The 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion at the London 2012 Olympics and Moscow 2013 World Championships, will be joined on the start line by Ugandan defending Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich.

Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede, who won the 2010 and 2013 London Marathon, London 2012 bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang of Kenya and countrymen Geoffrey Mutai and Emmanuel Mutai are also in the field, together with Ethiopians Ibrahiim Jeilan and Tsegaye Mekonnen.

Mo Farah said he was seeing stars before he collapsed at the finish line of the New York half-marathon ©Getty Images



With his foray into marathon running still in its infancy, Farah collapsed at the finish line of the New York half-marathon last month.

Explaining what happened he said: "The reason why I collapsed afterwards was I gave 110 per cent, I gave it all I could, and towards the last four miles I was definitely trying to finish the race and for me, I was feeling it.

"Towards the end I could see stars because I was just out of it completely.

"I guess it's great to have my coach Alberto Salazar, he's been there and done it, so he just told me, 'Get up. You alright Mo? Stop faking it. Get up'.

"I'm fine, but I'm glad it happened in New York than here."

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