At Thursday's press conference, Deena Kastor, the pre-race favorite, commented:
"I feel that I've progressed steadily in my career. I want to be part of that select group of women that's growing now under 2:20. In the marathon breaking the 2:20 barrier is still a bit of novelty and to join that club now would be nice." [Only seven women have broken the 2:20 barrier.]
"I take every race as it comes and with Paula out it changes the dynamics of the race. Without Paula in the race it will be little bit more of a tactical race and now I am thinking much more about tactics.
"My training and preparation has been made to be in control of the race in the first half and to run a negative final split and to finish strongly."
In addition to Kastor, London, the world's second largest marathon, again has a formidable international field including:
WOMEN
Name / Fastest Marathon / Fact
Margaret Okayo (KEN), 2:20:43, London, New York and Boston Marathon champion
Constantina Tomescu-Dita (ROM), 2:21:30, 2004 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon winner
Lyudmila Petrova (RUS), 2:22:33, 2000 New York City Marathon champion
Susan Chepkemei (KEN), 2:23:12, three-time New York City Marathon runner-up
MEN
Martin Lel (KEN), 2:07:26, defending London champion
Khalid Khannouchi (USA/NY), 2:05:38, former world record holder; 2002 London winner
Haile Gebreselassie (ETH), 2:06:20, multi-world record holder and two-time Olympic 10,000m gold medalist
Jaoud Gharib (MAR), 2:07:02, two-time World Champion (2003/05)
Stefano Baldini (ITA), 2:07:29, 2004 Olympic Marathon Champion
Hendrick Ramaala (RSA), 2:08:32, 2004 ING New York City Marathon winner
Evans Rutto (KEN), 2:05:50, past Chicago and London winner
World record holders Paula Radcliffe (GBR) and Paul Tergat (KEN) recently pulled out of London due to injury.
2006 Flora London Marathon Notes
