NAIROBI, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge says he will defend his London Marathon title in April, in his only planned race before the Tokyo Olympic Games next August.
Kipchoge, whose last race was in Vienna in October where he became the first man to run the marathon distance in less than two hours, says he is eager to return to action.
"I can't wait to return to the London Marathon in April. I hope to see you there," said Kipchoge on Monday.
The 35-year-old is also looking to improve on his course record of 2:02:37, which he set last year.
"It's in my plans. I want to try to run a course record for London next year but it's still too early to say anything. There are still four or five months to go," he said.
However, he remained guarded on whether he would attempt to lower the marathon world record mark of 2:01:39 set in Berlin in 2018.
"It is possible to run a world record in London if the conditions are okay. I don't know if I will be the man to do it, but I want to run a fast time," he added.
After his sub-two hour run in Vienna, Kipchoge feels his mentality has changed and says he can take any test to push his body to the limit.
"Vienna has given me confidence, absolutely. But for now I have not yet reached my potential because I just started training in December. I'm training at 20 percent so it's hard to say I will do this or that."
"However, I will be ready and focused and will also be able to tell my ability, hopefully by mid-March. I will know what I will be doing in London," he added.
Despite breaking the record for the fastest time ever recorded over the 42km marathon distance, various aspects of Kipchoge's run - such as the use of bicycle-delivered drinks and rotating pacemakers - meant that World Athletics did not recognize his attempt as an official marathon.
Kipchoge will be seeking his fifth title in London after wins in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
