London England April 2012 (Virgin London Marathon)

As a runner, you have probably seen those destination run booths at the expo. Next week at the Virgin London Marathon expo one of those guys will be me. If you are in London do come over and say hello.
I have been asked to represent the Canada Running Series Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/index.htm in London during the week of April 17-23.
While I am not running the Marathon, as I have press credentials for iRun magazine I will be in the “early finisher” area for the marathon. The Kenyans are there trying to get an Olympic nod. The times should be amazing.
The press conference is on Wednesday, (the same day as the expo opens) so I may not get a chance to meet any of the elites, but as a Running Groupie, I will try other means.
Stay tuned as I hope to post daily while I am there.
In the meantime, here are a couple of pics from last year
This is the men’s list (and only those UNDER 2:07)
Elite Men – Personal Best (world record 2:03:38)
Emmanuel Mutai (Kenya) 2:04:40 (winner of London last year)
Patrick Makau (Kenya) 2:03:38 (WR holder)
Wilson Kipsang (Kenya) 2:03:42 (so close in Rotterdam)
Abel Kirui (Kenya) 2:05:04 (World marathon champion two years in a row)
Vincent Kipruto (Kenya)2:05:13
Martin Lel (Kenya) 2:05:15 (my hero and 2nd in London last year –just beating Patrick Makau !!!!!)
Tsegaye Kebede (Ethiopia) 2:05:18
Feyisa Lilesa (Ethiopia) 2:05:23
Bazu Worku (Ethiopia) 2:05:25
Jaouad Gharib (Morocco)2:05:27
Marilson Gomes dos Santos (Brazil) 2:06:34
Markos Geneti (Ethiopia) 2:06:35
Now for fast women ( and I am only listing under 2:24- World record is 2:15:23

Mary Keitany (Kenya) 2:19:19 (lead in NYC until last 2 km)
Irina Mikitenko (Germany) 2:19:19
Florence Kiplagat (Kenya)2:19:44
Edna Kiplagat (Kenya)2:20:46
Constantina Dita (Romania) 2:21:30
Atsede Baysa (Ethiopia) 2:22:04
Ejegayehu Dibaba (Ethiopia)2:22:09
Inga Abitova (Russia)2:22:19
Korene Jelila (Ethiopia)2:22:43
Priscah Jeptoo (Kenya)2:22:51
Bezunesh Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:23:09
Isabellah Andersson (Sweden)2:23:41