The 27-year-old ran a scintillating race in the capital last year to set a course record of 2 hours 4min 40sec to break the previous mark, set by compatriot Sammy Wanjiru in 2009, by 30 seconds.

But the World Championship silver medallist was forced take a week off training after contracting typhoid at the end of March.

He faces a tough showdown against world record holder Patrick Makau and world champion Abel Kirui, who are also both from Kenya, to retain his title but he claims he is back to full fitness following his illness.

"For me this will definitely be a tougher competition than last year because the field is so strong," Mutai said.

"Everyone has run a good time so I will have to perform at my best.

"I had a fever a few weeks ago and was under medication but I am feeling better now and my recovery has been good.

"I will have to try my best."

For Mutai and his compatriots, the 2012 London Marathon will provide them with their last chance to win a place on Kenya's highly competitive Olympic marathon team.

Six athletes, including Mutai, Makau and Kirui, were named in a provisional squad by Kenyan selectors back in January but the final three will be named on April 30.

But despite the added pressure of Olympic selection at stake, Mutai said he is simply focused on Sunday.

"The selection is challenging but I think if I can finish in the top three here I will qualify," he said.

"The extra pressure is there because of the Olympic selection but I've been concentrating on running well in London.

"What comes after London, I will think about then."

Mutai's Kenyan compatriot Mary Keitany is equally confident of defending her London Marathon women's title.

The 30-year-old, who the world half-marathon record holder, dominated the field last year to finish in 2:19:19 to make her the second fastest woman ever over the London course behind Britain's Paula Radcliffe.

However, doubts have been voiced over her aggressive approach to long distance running after she blew a huge two-minute lead in the New York Marathon last November to finish in third place despite being on schedule to beat Radcliffe's world record until the closing stages.


But Keitany (pictured left) admits that she learned a valuable lesson following her painful experience in New York.

"Maybe it was a mistake to go so fast in New York because I missed it, but I was just running how I felt in myself," she said.

"I felt good up to 30 kilometres but then felt a pain in my right leg and I faded.

"Sometimes your body can cheat you and tell you that you are okay when you fail to understand your body is having problems.

"But I don't fear the marathon.

"I think of myself as a marathon runner now and I also think I have to better understand tactics, to know the tactics of running and handling a race.

"I'm in the same shape as last year and I hope to defend my title and win despite the field being so competitive.

"It will be very hard because of the strong athletes but I am determined to defend my title.

This year's event also holds extra significance for all five Kenyan women in the field as it will act as their qualifier for the Olympics, but, like Mutai, Keitany believes a top three finish will secure her one of the three spots.

"I will have to work extra hard on Sunday because I know it will be my last chance to impress the selectors," she said.

"I think it's important first of all to win the London Marathon, but it will be good to be selected for the Olympics because then I will be running for myself and my country.

"London is the last chance and I have to finish in the top three at least to be selected for the Olympics."

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