The 29-year-old Kipsang - who made a relatively late marathon debut last year, running 2:07:10 in Paris - has now added his name to the burgeoning throng of world-class runners seeking one of the three available Kenyan places in the London 2012 marathon.

Apart from the world record holder and this latest startling talent, the Kenyan selectors will also have to consider the merits of Geoffrey Mutai, this year's London winner, who ran the fastest marathon time recorded - 2:03:02 - with a high wind at his back on the downhill Boston course in April, and was followed home four seconds later by another Kenyan, Moses Mosop, who has since set world records for 25,000 and 30,000 metres.

Abel Kirui also laid a strong claim to a London place two months ago by defending his world title in Daegu, South Korea.

Sadly, Kenya's 2008 Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru died in tragic circumstances after a fall from a balcony earlier this year.

The Kenyan selection could grow yet more complex as no decision will be made officially until after next year's Virgin London Marathon on April 22.

Kipsang, who was defending the title in Frankfurt following his victory in 2:04:57, the third best of 2010, had the course for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Gold Label Road Race not been slippery after a shower, he felt he might have beaten the world record on his second time around the German course.


"I prepared really well, I knew I'd be somewhere close to the World record," he told the IAAF.

"I was fairly confident, I knew I could beat the other guys, and when we really started to race, I had a feeling I'd either break the world record, or be very close.

"The surface was a little bit wet, so it cost us something.

"There was less friction, so you expend more energy.

"I saw we were a little slow at 35k, and I felt strong, so I decided to go for it.

"But I'm pretty happy, it's my personal best.

"Based on today's performance, I think I will be selected [for London 2012], and I would really love to be selected.

"That sort of competition, guys from all over the world.

"I deserve to be there.

"When there's no pacemakers, it's different, it'll be a tactical race, but I'll prepare.

"I have to run one more marathon, maybe in the spring, because the Olympic marathon is a long way off."

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