World record holder Dennis Kimetto will run his next marathon in Vienna, organisers announced today (March 20).

Taking place on April 22, the same day as the London Marathon, the Kenyan star’s participation is a big coup by the Vienna City Marathon organisers, with Race Director Wolfgang Konrad hopeful it will raise the international profile of the event now in its 35th year.

“I was able to train without injuries for a good period. I believe in my capabilities and want to show a strong performance in Vienna,” said the 2:02:57 world record holder. “If conditions are good then I want to attack the course record.

“The most important thing is that after several disappointing races in the last two years I can achieve a good marathon result again.”

Kimetto hopes to rekindle his career having only finished two marathons since 2015. The two marathons that he has completed were both at the London Marathon, where he ran 2:05:50 to finish third in 2015 and a year later he was ninth with 2:11:44.

To break Ethiopia’s Getu Feleke course record of 2:05:41, Kimetto would need to run slightly faster than in London three years ago.

After a second place debut in Berlin with 2:04:16 in 2012 – the fastest debut marathon on a record-eligible course at that time – Kimetto took the Tokyo and the Chicago Marathon a year later.

Then in September 2014, the 34-year-old set a new world record in the German capital betting compatriot Wilson Kipsang best by 26 seconds.

Marathon superstars Eliud Kipchoge, Wilson Kipsang and Kenenisa Bekele all attempted and failed to break Kimetto’s mark in the past three years.

“Dennis wants to show something in Vienna. I hope that the final part of his preparations will also go well,” said Kimetto’s Dutch manager Gerard van de Veen. “He is an athlete of extraordinary quality. After he ran his world record in Berlin physical problems started. I think the race in Berlin took a lot out of his body.”

“We suggested to him to run in Vienna because we have good experience with the event and the course is fine for running a good time.”