"This will be my last marathon. After that, I will do a few more races (...) but in terms of marathon, it will be the last," said Thursday, the Briton, who has the 9th best personal best of all participants.

Third in the event in 2018, but often injured in recent months, Farah is not fooled by his chances of final victory.

"I owe it to the British public and the people who have followed me throughout my journey ... The main thing will be to make the most of it, to have fun and I'm sure the crowd will make the difference for me on Sunday. When we get to the last 10 kilometres, I know it will be difficult," he admitted.

Farah had received a heartfelt tribute from his rivals, such as Kenyan titleholder Amos Kipruto, 30, who said his 10-year-old had been "a real inspiration for the younger generation".

The Kiptum threat

His 23-year-old compatriot Kelvin Kiptum, one of the big favourites after becoming the third best performer in history in his first marathon, in Valencia in December, will see his idol up close for the first time.

FROM L to R: Ethiopian Tamirat Tola and Kenyans Amos Kipruto and Kelvin Kiptum outside Buckingham Palace in London on April 20, 2023 a few days before the London © Marathon JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP

"I used to watch Mo Farah when I was a kid, he was a huge athlete. I told myself that one day I would be opposed to him and I am very much looking forward to running with him."

Kipruto and Kiptum will be among the favourites in a men's race where three of the five fastest riders in history will be at the start.

"London always has a very strong field and that's how it is this year, so I know I'm going to have to fight to retain my title," said Kipruto, the only former winner present.

In addition to Keptum, he will have to be wary of Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele, the fastest on paper and twice on the podium in 2016 and 2017 in London or Tamirat Tola, the reigning world champion.

Kenya's Vincent Kipchumba, 2nd in 2020 and 2021 or Geoffrey Kamworor, who won twice and finished twice on the podium in New York and made two podiums in Berlin, are also to follow.

On the women's side, there are also many female candidates for victory.

Sifan Hassan wants to test himself

Victorious in 2019 and 2020 in London and holder of the world record in mixed race, Kenyan Brigid Kosgei will aim for a third crown but does not present herself in the best conditions.

FROM L to R: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Brigid Kosgei of Kenya, Yalemzerf Yehualaw of Ethiopia and Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya on April 21, 2023 in London before the marathon © Daniel LEAL / AFP

"I was well prepared but a few weeks ago I had pain in my hamstring and knee," Kosgei, 29, said Friday.

"I think the injury is not so serious anymore," she tempered, but "the field is not easy, it is very high and everyone wants to win, so we will all do our best on Sunday."

One of her main rivals will be Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who won last year.

But it will also be necessary to count with the Kenyan Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir, or even the Dutch Sifan Hassan, gold medal in the 5000m and 10,000m in Tokyo in 2020 and who will make her debut on the marathon.

"I'm thinking about my plans for the Paris Olympics next year and the track and the marathon are both options for me," Hassan said Friday.

"Before deciding, I have to test myself on the marathon distance and I think the best place for me to do that is in London, surrounded by the best female specialists," she added.

© 2023 AFP