Mo Farah and Eliud Kipchoge all set to reignite their rivalry at the London Marathon

Tokeo la picha la mo farah eliud kipchoge

For the second year in a row, running legends Eliud Kipchoge and Mo Farah will face each other in the London Marathon. And with impressive 2018 fall marathon wins for both, the sequel should be even better than last year’s race.

In a video released by race officials, the world record holder in the marathon said he was “excited” to return, though he wouldn’t guarantee another 2:01:39 performance like in Berlin.

“I had a memorable 2018, winning the Virgin Money London Marathon and then setting a new world record at the BMW Berlin Marathon,” Kipchoge said in the video announcement. “I’m hoping that 2019 is just as good to me.

Tokeo la picha la mo farah eliud kipchoge

Kipchoge may be undefeated in his last nine marathon attempts, but that doesn’t mean a victory is guaranteed. Farah, who finished third at last year’s London Marathon, is riding his own hot streak, breaking the tape in Chicago last year in a European-record time of 2:05:11. The four-time Olympic gold medalist told reporters after the race he wouldn’t rule out an upset over Kipchoge in his hometown marathon.

“I think it’s possible if I can have the confidence from this race, (I) have a third in London, and keep learning and mix in with the guys. I think it’s possible,” Farah said.

Tokeo la picha la mo farah eliud kipchoge

Kipchoge broke away from Farah by the 20-mile mark in 2018’s balmy race to win in 2:04:17. Despite missing hydration bottles at two water stops early in the race, Farah finished third in a British record 2:06:21.

Also in the mix is Ethiopia’s Shura Kitata, 22, who was runner-up to Kipchoge last year in London and also placed second in New York City this past November.

Kipchoge’s and Farah’s fall victories have them currently tied atop the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XII leaderboard. The 2019 London Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 28. Keep it here for all the latest on the race…

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