Kenya's world champion Luke Kibet will race in next month's Singapore marathon, organisers said yesterday.

Kibet, who became the first Kenyan in 20 years to win a marathon gold medal at the world championships when he triumphed in Osaka last year, will pound the city-state's streets on December 7.

"The participation of such a high profile runner ensures that we are on track with our plans in growing (the marathon) into a premier running event not just locally but also internationally," Singapore Athletic Association president Loh Lin Kok said.

The 25-year-old Kibet will be up against compatriot Elijah Mbogo who won the 2007 race on his debut.

Fellow Kenyan Amos Matui, who crossed the line just two seconds behind Mbogo last year while chasing a hat-trick of Singapore crowns, is also in the 2008 field.

The 42.195 kilometre race will start early in the morning in a bid to beat the stifling heat in the Southeast Asia republic.