Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medallist who has won 17 world titles over cross-country, track, and road, clocked the second-fastest marathon time in history of 2:01:41 to take a surprise win at 2019 Berlin marathon.
“I feel like my win in Berlin proved that I am still capable of winning the biggest races in the world and in world-class times,” Bekele said. “I am really looking forward to what I can do in London.”
“I am looking forward to racing Eliud once again,” Bekele said in a press release. “We have had many great battles over the years on the track, roads and cross-country. My big dream is to break the world record and an amazing performance will happen at the London Marathon.”
Kipchoge two years ago set the official World marathon record of 2:01:39 in Berlin and last year in October became the first man to run the marathon under 2-hours with 1:59:40 at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in Vienna.