To England where Kenyans will once again line up as favourites at the start of yet another London marathon on Sunday. In the men's race, defending champion Eliud Kipchoge is hoping to make it two successive titles, while Wilson Kipsang will be chasing a third crown, and world record holder Dennis Kimetto chases a first London title.

London marathon

But Ethiopian runners are also primed to stop their East African counterparts domination. While the elite athletes may hog the spotlight, the marathon will have different significance to all the other thousands of runners.

A quarter of a million people applied to be part of this year's London marathon. Just 40,000 have been successful getting a place on the starting line near Greenwich, a World Heritage site and just one of many iconic landmarks the runners will pass en route to the finishing line.

London marathon

Kenyans chasing podium positions in this year's event

The London marathon always a source of remarkable human stories?the oldest runner a magnificent 85 years-old, running alongside his 18 year-old granddaughter. 

With ground control observing, in space British astronaut Tim Peake will be shadowing the marathon on the streets of the UK capital below aboard the International Space Station.

"The fitness training is going well; the preparations for the London Marathon Sunday have gone well. And I'm feeling good," said UK astronault Major Tim Peake.

Coming down to earth, it is of course the Kenyans who will again be the focus of attention for the finish.

Kenya has produced a winner in the men's marathon 10 times in the last dozen years and their dominance doesn't look like slipping.

Of course on their minds, Kenya's selection for Rio and the Olympics.

"I think the Kenyan federation are waiting for the results of this race and then they will select (the team for Rio 2016). I think they will select one or two guys from this race," said Kenyan marathon runner Wilson Kipsang.

After London the Kenyans will be running for gold.

"Above all, that is the only medal that I don't have on my neck and if I get in a position to be in the team for Rio and get a gold medal then I really will be more than happy," said Kenyan marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge.

Over the last three decades, the London marathon has become the biggest mass sporting event in the London.

Following the murderous atrocities of Paris and Brussels and of course not forgetting the outrage of the Boston marathon, security here Sunday will be tight, to protect the tens of thousands of those taking part but also the many thousands more on the marathon route shouting their encouragement to the exhausted runners.