He is already the history man of marathon running but Eliud Kipchoge will be chasing another record-breaking milestone when he goes head to head with Ethiopian rival Kenenisa Bekele in Sunday’s 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race.

Organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon have confirmed the full elite fields for the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on Sunday 4 October.

Since the inaugural edition 40 years ago, the London Marathon – like most big city races – has produced many memorable moments.

Eliud Kipchoge will defend his Olympic title later this year, having been named on Kenya’s team for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Meanwhile, world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and world champion Ruth Chepngetich feature on the women’s team.

World Athlete of the Year Eliud Kipchoge will defend his title at the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum event, set to take place in the British capital on 26 April.

Our end-of-year reviews continue with a look back at 2019’s best action on the roads and cross country.

World Male Athlete of the Year Eliud Kipchoge’s achievement in 2019 included the far-from-inconsiderable feat of winning a second successive London Marathon title – and a record fourth in all – something he did in 2:02:37, the second fastest performance ever at that time behind his official world record of 2:01:39.

Eliud Kipchoge and Dalilah Muhammad have been named the male and female World Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards 2019, held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Saturday (23). 

There are no more loyal friends in the world than books. They have been a source of pleasure for me, allowed me to understand the world better and helped me grow as a person.

Eliud Kipchoge produced the fastest time ever for the 42.2km distance, clocking 1:59:40 at the Ineos159 Challenge in Vienna on Saturday (12).

Following a string of victories over 26.2 miles, including his triumph at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and a world record-breaking performance at the 2018 Berlin Marathon, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge is widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time.

As we continue our countdown to the start of the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, we look at a quintet of special athletes who defied age and logic to be crowned world champions in their teenage years.