Keitany to have male pacemakers for new world record

LONDON, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's Mary Keitany will be running with male pacemakers in an attempt to break Paula Radcliffe's world record at the 2018 London Marathon on April 22, organizers announced here on Thursday.

Radcliffe had male pacemakers to thank when she set the world record of two hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds at the 2003 London Marathon.

The 36-year-old Kenyan is already the holder of the women-only marathon world record which she set by winning last year's London Marathon in 2:17:01, beating Radcliffe's women-only world best of 2:17:42.

Keitany went through the halfway point last year more than a minute faster than Radcliffe did on the way to her record in 2003. However, her pacemaker fell away soon after and Keitany found herself alone and falling off that searing pace.

Keitany, the three-time London Marathon champion, said: "The marathon world record is something that I have been working towards for several years and I feel I am now in the position where I can really attack the time of 2:15:25.

"I was feeling good (last year) but it was hard to run nearly half the race on my own. By having male pacemakers, I will be able to have the support throughout the race." Enditem