Ethiopia Athletics: Tsegaye Kebede to defend London Marathon Title

London, UK – Reigning champion Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia will return here to defend his Virgin London Marathon title on Sunday, April 17, 2011.

Tsegaye, who won last year’s race in 2:05.19, will have his hands full as six of the invited elite athletes have run sub 2:06 races.

On the women’s side, Liliya Shobukhova of Russia (2:20.25), who won the Chicago Marathon, is one of the favorites. However, she too had to contend with such notable athletes as Zhou Chunxiu of China, winner of the Asian Games, New York City Marathon winner Edna Kiplagat of Kenya and Askale Tafa, Aselefech Mergia and Bezunesh Bekele of Ethiopian.

Men –
Tsegaye Kebede, ETH   2:05:18
Patrick Makau, KEN   2:04:48
Samuel Wanjiru, KEN   2:05:10
Abel Kirui, KEN   2:05:04
Bazu Worku, ETH   2:05:25

Women –
Liliya Shobukhova, RUS   2:20:25
Askale Tafa, ETH   2:21:31
Aselefech Mergia, ETH   2:22:38
Bezunesh Bekele, ETH   2:23:09
Aberu Kebede, ETH   2:23:58