The field for the London marathon this weekend is stacked. Britain’s Mo Farah is back for his second crack at the event after running it in 2014, where he finished eighth in a time of 2:08:21 which was four minutes behind winner Wilson Kipsang. While Farah has been thinking about getting together marathon challenge for the 2020 Olympics, for the 2018 London Marathon he is only a 14/1 shot* (betting odds taken at 6:13 p.m. on April 19th, 2018) to land the victory.
The field is just totally stacked against him and he knows it. Even if he goes and beats his time of 2014 the chances of him getting the win are pretty slim given the opposition that he is up against. Five of the seven quickest marathon runners in history are going to be in the London field on the weekend and that should mean that records could fall.
Eliud Kipchoge set a course record of 2:03:05 in 2016 to get his second race win and the 33-year-old Kenyan legend, who also won the 2016 Olympic marathon is the one to beat this year. He has also won marathons in Hamburg, Rotterdam, Chicago and Berlin.
Wilson Kipsang, arguably one of the greatest marathon runners in history is back for another challenge. He is a two-time winner of the event, setting a course record in his second victory in 2014, which got broken just two years later by Kipchoge. Four Times in the last seven editions of the London Marathon the course record has gone.
Current world record holder Dennis Kimetto, who last September became the first man in history to complete a marathon in under 2:03 (which was achieved in Berlin), has decided to snub London in favour of Vienna City on April 22nd. But from Kenenisa Bekele to Daniel Wanjiru, Bedan Karoki and Gue Adoli the elite talent is staggeringly high.
There could be light rain around the capital on the weekend which may hinder times a little bit, but the field is hot and those at the head of the pack are likely going to be pushing each other hard. It’s a thrilling line up in the men’s race.
In the women’s London Marathon betting odds at bet365, Mary Keitany is the 11/10 favourite* (betting odds taken at 6:13 p.m. on April 19th, 2018). She is the reigning champion and she bust out a world record in last year’s edition. She was challenged hard though by Tirunesh Dibaba who produced the fifth fastest ever marathon time to come home second to Keitany. Dibaba is the 11/8 second favourite* (betting odds taken at 6:13 p.m. on April 19th, 2018) this year.
Men’s London Marathon Winner Odds*
Eliud Kipchoge 4/7, Kenenisa Bekele 11/1, Daniel Wanjiru 9/1, Bedan Karoki 10/1, Mo Farah 12/1, Guye Adola 14/1, Abel Kirui 25/1, Ghirmay Ghebreslassie 33/1, bar 40/1* (betting odds taken at 6:13 p.m. on April 19th, 2018)
Women’s London Marathon Odds*
Mark Keitany 11/10, Tirunesh Dibaba 11/8, Vivian Cheruiyot 15/2, Gladys Cherono 12/1, Mare Dibaba 14/1, Brigid Kosgei 33/1, bar 50/1* (betting odds taken at 6:13 p.m. on April 19th, 2018)
