Tigst Assefa is the favorite to win the London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday April 21. The Ethiopian will be competing in the English city for the first time in her career. And the world record holder for the distance is aiming for victory and the event record."God will show how fit I am, I've prepared very well and I'm sure I can beat the course record.Whether it's in London or Berlin, it won't change my strategy at all."

Kenya's Mary Keitany has held the London Marathon record since 2017 with a time of 2h17mn01s. Assefa will be up against some formidable rivals, including Kenyans Brigid Kosgei, Ruth Chepngetich and Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, as well as London 2022 marathon winner Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia. Tigst Assefa remains confident, however. "I prepared well in Kenya and I'm ready".