Dennis Kimetto, who smashed the world record last year, and fellow Kenyan and defending champion Wilson Kipsang, whose mark he beat, will go head-to-head for the first time in a mouthwatering London Marathon in April, organisers said yesterday.

Kimetto, who clocked two hours, two minutes, 57 seconds in last September’s Berlin Marathon to take 26 seconds off Kipsang’s 2013 record, will be making his London Marathon debut, while Kipsang is seeking a third title after winning in 2012 and 2014.

The two are training partners in the Kenyan town of Iten but have never faced each other over the marathon distance.

There are 10 runners in the men’s field who have run under two hours six minutes, including multiple track Olympic and world 10,000 and 5,000m champion and world record holder Kenenisa Bekele, also making his London debut in his fourth outing over the 26.2 mile distance.

The 30-year-old Kimetto, re-ignited talk of a possible sub-two hour marathon with his remarkable run in Berlin when he averaged four minutes 41 seconds per mile to become the first man under two hours three minutes.

The marathon world record has fallen by almost three minutes in the last 12 years.

“I broke Wilson’s world record in Berlin last year and now I want his London Marathon crown,” said Kimetto looking forward the April 26 race.