London Marathon stars targeting new world record

Athletics fans have been advised to watch out for a potential men’s world record time in Sunday’s London Marathon. Race organisers have managed to pull together the best east Africans - including Olympic medalists and three men who have run under 2:05 - meaning a fast race is expected in helpful weather conditions. The world record of 2:02:57 was set by Dennis Kimetto at the 2014 Berlin Marathon; the last time the men’s world record was set in London was in 2002, when Khalid Khannouchi ran 2:05:38. The women’s race is also very strong, but a world record is not thought to be as likely as for the men.

The whole city comes alive and is awash with people and colour. It will be exciting at the front end, as it always is.

Commentator Brendan Foster, covering his last London Marathon