KENYA WILL send out their big-hitters to contest the London Olympic marathon this year in a quest for back-to-back golds after Samuel Wanjiru, who died in a fall last year, won their first Games marathon in 2008.

World men’s marathon record holder Patrick Makau, twice world marathon champion Abel Kirui and world champion Edan Kiplagat will lead Kenya’s marathon team at the July 27th-Aug 12th Games, Athletics Kenya said yesterday.

The team list also includes Geoffrey Mutai, last year’s winner in the Boston and New York City marathons Emmanuel Mutai, the London Marathon title-holder, Moses Mosop, runner-up in Boston last year and Frankfurt Marathon winner Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich.

Edna Kiplagat, who was third in the London Marathon last year, will lead the women’s team which also boasts Mary Kaitany, Paris Marathon champion Prisca Jeptoo and Berlin Marathon winner Florence Kiplagat. Athletics Kenya chairman Isaiah Kiplagat said the country was spoilt for choice.