Posted: December 20, 2004

Athletics: 2005 London Marathon Adds Olympic Gold And Silver Medalists

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

Organizers of the Flora London Marathon reported today that Olympic Marathon gold medalist, Stefano Baldini of Italy, will run their race for the sixth time next year, while silver medalist, Meb Keflezighi of the United States, would run there for the first time.

"We could not wish for a more exclusive field to celebrate the 25th running of the race," said race director Dave Bedford in a press release.

Baldini, who has finished second twice at London including a thrilling sprint against former Olympic and world champion Gezahegne Abera of Ethiopia in 2003, was also the European marathon champion in 1998. His victory in Athens was the most important Olympic medal won by an Italian this year, eclipsing even the cycling road race gold medal won by Paolo Bettini.

Keflezighi, the U.S. record holder for 10,000m and the runner up at last month's ING New York City Marathon, will be running the sixth marathon of his career. He has finished second in the last three marathons he has contested, recording his personal best time of 2:09:52 in New York.

The London organizers also announced that the 2003 world marathon champion, Jaoud Gharib of Morocco, would compete. He finished third at the 2004 edition in a career best time of 2:07:02. Paul Tergat, the world record holder will also toe the line in London, along with the second-fastest marathon runner ever, Sammy Korir. Both men are from Kenya.

Other major signings include Daniel Njenga (Kenya), Ian Syster (South Africa), Antonio Peña (Spain), Joseph Ngolepus (Kenya), Lee Troop (Australia) and John Yuda (Tanzania).

Welshman Jon Brown, two times fourth at the Olympic Games marathon, is also scheduled to start, and fellow Briton Karl Keska is planning to make his marathon debut. They are the top British entrants on the male side of the race

The Flora London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, April 17, one day ahead of the BAA Boston Marathon.