Women's world record holder Ruth Chepnjitich is scheduled to run the London Marathon on April 27.
The 30-year-old Kenyan achieved the fastest time in history for an athlete in the Chicago Marathon in October, when she recorded two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds.
This achievement by Chebengitich made her surpass the previous record of Ethiopian Tegist Assefa by nearly two minutes and became the first woman to participate in a marathon in less than two hours and 10 minutes.
“The London Marathon always brings together the best athletes in the world,” Chepnjitich said.
“I didn't know that (setting the world record in Chicago) was possible but I realized that dreams can come true.”
Chepngitich will be joined in London by Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and her compatriot Beres Jepchershire, who holds the world marathon record for women only.
Perez set a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 16 seconds in London last year, where women run side by side with men and not in a separate race, unlike the Chicago Marathon.
“Me, Perez and the other women are strong, so it will be competitive,” Chepnjitic added.
“I want to prepare as best as I can and we will see if we can lower Pérez's world record. With the strength of the field, I think we can support each other and maybe the world record will come down.”
