London Marathon Betting Preview

Don your running vests and tie up your laces - it's London Marathon time again as over 30,000 pairs of feet prepare to pound the streets of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />London this Sunday.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Of all the marathons in the world, London is the one that most runners dream of winning, and you can be sure that whatever time you rise from bed on Sundaymorning, there will be ample coverage of the big race on your television sets. While at one end of the scale Jimmy Saville will be desperate to finally beat that guy dressed in the 1800's diving suit and the world's oldest lady, at thesharper end of things the going will be getting very tough indeed. The Elite men's event once again looks set to be dominated by the superb Kenyans, with the first four in the betting all hailing from the African country. Last year we picked out Evans Rutto at 7/2 (1st) and Sammy Korir (2nd) as an each-way selection at 9/1, so we'll certainly be hoping for more of that success this year. Taking a look at this years event looks slightly harder, but there is every reason to expect 9/4 favourite Rutto to be the man to beat once again.Coming into last year's event he had just set the fastest debut time in history, and another year on the road can only have served to strengthen his chances this time around. The other leading two in the betting have both clocked personal best times of around a minute quicker than Rutto, but we can dismiss that statistic fairlyquickly given that conditions around the world can vary so wildly. Paul Tergat has been a symbol of elite running for a while now, but at best price 11/4, Iwould rather avoid siding with the second favourite. Sammy Korir, like last year, looks a better bet, but with the best available price being just 6/1 this time around, it appears that the bookies have learnt their lessons, and last year's runner up is another to pass over despite having a great chance again. For me, the podium value lays in Olympic gold medallist Stafano Baldini. The Italian is currently ranked number one in the world, and whilst I would expect him to find the front running Kenyans too much, on his day he truly is a world beater, as he showed when running a faultless race in Athens. Baldini fits the bill for a podium finish this time around, and at 9/1 with Sporting Odds, one feels he is overprice - particularly given that they also offer the best each-way terms about. Other firms go 10/1, but the ¼ odds for a place with Sporting Odds tips the balance in their favour on this one. If you are looking for a long shot in the race, then perhaps Antonio Pena could be the small each-way interest. The Spanish number run was several minutes off the pace in Athens 2004, but its worth noting that only five of Sunday's field finished ahead of him in Games, and he can be backed at 33/1. No other athletein the world has ever bettered his fastest time on European soil in 2000, but we shouldn't expect miracles from him - he is a big price for a reason, but could certainly surprise a few people this weekend if luck is on his side. Finally, we could do worse than take on Sporting Odds in their opinion that The Kenyans wont fill the three podium berths. With Rutto, Tergat and Korir themassive favourites, it looks more than likely that they will take the top three spaces. Daniel Njenge (another Kenyan and fourth in the betting) and Baldini look the likely threats, but at 9/1 we have already covered Baldini to cause an upset,so the 11/10 about Kenya doing a 1-2-3 looks worth a nibble. Recommended bets: 1pt Evans Rutto to win at 9/4 (Blue Sq)0.5pts e/w Stafano Baldini at 9/1 (VCBet)1pt Kenyan 1-2-3 at 11/10 (VCBet)