London Marathon 2020: Athletes arrive in biosecure bubble ahead of October 4 race

Eliud Kipchoge has been pictured inside the biosecure bubble
Photo: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events
Matt Davies29 September 2020

The 2020 London Marathon is set to be one like no other, with the athletes now taking their places in the biosecure bubble ahead of Sunday's race.

The historic event was initially pushed back from April due to the outbreak of coronavirus before being abandoned altogether, now finally set to go ahead on Sunday, October 4 on a revised 19.6 lap closed-loop circuit around St Jame's Park in London.

With travel restrictions in place for a number of countries, incoming athletes were granted a special exemption by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) with strict guidelines in place until race day and beyond.

More than 100 of the world's leading athletes are now completing their preparations in a "biosecure bubble" in an "athlete's only" hotel outside of London.

Photo: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events
Photo: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events

Each athlete and their support staff have single rooms, with strict social distancing guidelines in place while face covering are mandatory at all times other than training.

They were also tested for coronavirus in their respective countries before making the trip to England, with testing continue until Friday.

In the men's race, world record holder and defending champion Eliud Kipchoge - who has been pictured returning from the testing centre within the bubble - will come up against Kenenisa Bekele, who fell just two seconds short of his incredible record last year.

And while preparations have been entirely abnormal in the build-up to the event, Kipchoge believes his record may just be broken on Sunday.

Photo: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events
Photo: Bob Martin for London Marathon Events

“I think the time will be fast, London is a big race and all the participants are in good shape and able to run faster times,” he said.

Meanwhile, defending champion Brigid Kosgei of Kenya is the notable inclusion in the women's race, while the two top wheelchair athletes Daniel Romanchuk and Manuel Schar will also take part.

Britain's Sir Mo Farah will also be present as a pacer.

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