Eliud Kipchoge to start the 2023 London Marathon

Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathon runner in history, will be the official starter of the 2023 TCS London Marathon set for tomorrow April 2023.

Kipchoge is the only man to have run a marathon under two hours, when he clocked 1: 59: 40, in Vienna  in and also holds the official world record of 2:01:09.

London is a familiar course which evokes memories for him having won on the course a record four times, in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

The Kenyan great, who also holds the London Marathon course record (2:02:37), will be the official starter for the elite men’s race and the mass start at 10:00 tomorrow.

He said: “The TCS London Marathon holds a special place in my heart and it’s an honour to be asked to be the official starter this year. I am looking forward to cheering on all my fellow runners participating on Sunday. I wish everyone taking part, whatever your reason for running, the very best of luck.”

Gordon Perry, the first London Marathon wheelchair race winner in 1981, will start the elite wheelchair races at 09:15, on the 40th anniversary of his win.

The elite women’s race, beginning at 09:25am will be started by two former London Marathon champions: Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway and Catherina McKiernan of Ireland.

Kristiansen has, like Kipchoge, won the London Marathon on a record four occasions (1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988), while McKiernan won the 1998 edition of the London Marathon 25 years ago.