NAIROBI, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge has confirmed he will defend his London Marathon title on April 28.
This will be the second time that Kipchoge will compete against Chicago Marathon champion Britain's Sir Mo Farah.
The two men will now go head-to-head once again on the streets of London, with the prospect of attempting to notch a new world record still on the cards.
"It is always a great honor to come and race at the Virgin Money London Marathon and I'm excited to be returning in 2019. I had a memorable 2018, winning the London Marathon and then setting a new world record in the Berlin Marathon. I'm hoping that 2019 is just as good to me," said Kipchoge on Monday in Eldoret.
Kipchoge won his third London Marathon title at last year's race, with Farah finishing in third place.
The Kenyan went on to set a new marathon world record of 2:01:39 in Berlin, while Farah won his maiden Chicago Marathon.
Ethiopia's 22-year-old rising star Shura Kitata will also return to London after finishing runner-up to Kipchoge last year and placing second in the New York City Marathon.
That means the top three from the 2018 podium will all be competing in London again this year.
Kipchoge, who was named the 2018 IAAF athlete of the year and Kenya's best sportsman, said he is looking forward to the challenge.
"I am looking forward to racing Mo Farah again. He is a great champion and proved in Chicago that he can win a major marathon so I relish the battle with him and also the many other great athletes that I'm sure will once again be on the start line in London."
Kipchoge is unbeaten in the London Marathon, with three victories across his three appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2018.
