Catherina McKiernan will attempt to regain her Flora London Marathon crown next year. McKiernan, who won the race in 1998 but was unable to defend her title this year because of injury, was one of three major signings for the women's field announced this morning. Mexico's Adriana Fernandez, who won in New York this year after finishing runner-up in London, and Portugal's double European and former world champion Manuela Machado will also run on April 16th.
The trio join a field that already includes the Kenyan duo of Tegla Loroupe, the fastest female marathoner ever and Joyce Chepchumba, winner in 1997 and this year. Scotland's Liz McColgan, victorious in 1996, will also make her marathon return following the birth of her second child in what is the strongest-ever women's field in the 20-year history of the event.
