Kipruto to defend London Marathon title
Kenya's Amos Kipruto breaks the tape to win the men's race at the finish of the 2022 London Marathon in central London on October 2, 2022.
Kipruto reckons that he will be facing experienced runners when he lined up to defend his title April 23, 2023, who have once reigned at the World Marathon Major races.
“I know it will be an explosive affair being the man to beat, but I am confident and looking forward to it," said Kipruto.
Kenya’s Amos Kipruto will defend his London Marathon title on April 23 this year.
The 30-year-old is among the elite distance runners heading to the British capital for the race that is back to its traditional month of April after the last three editions were held in October.
Kipruto celebrated his maiden World Marathon Majors victory when he won in London in a time of two hours, 04 minutes and 39 seconds on October 2, 2022.
Kipruto, who ran a personal best of 2:03:13 when he finished second behind four-time London Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge in Tokyo on March 6 last year, will be joined by home athlete Mo Farah and Ethiopian legendary distance runner Kenenisa Bekele.
“London Marathon will remain special for me because that is where I won my first World Marathon Majors (WMM) race,” said Kipruto, who is preparing for the title defence in Kapsabet.
“It is my great pleasure to return to London for yet another hunt.”
Kipruto reckons that he will be facing experienced runners who have once reigned at the World Marathon Major races.
“I know it will be an explosive affair being the man to beat, but I am confident and looking forward to it," said Kipruto.
Also in contention at this year’s London Marathon is 2017 and 2019 New York City Marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor, who will be making his debut, and World marathon champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia, who returns to London after finishing sixth in the 2019 and 2020 editions.
Kipruto and Kamworor, 30, will also be joined on the start line by compatriots Kelvin Kiptum, 23, who produced the fastest marathon debut time in history (2:01:53) when he claimed victory in Valencia in December, and Vincent Kipchumba, a second place finisher in the 2020 and 2021 London Marathons.
