Bekele, whose best London Marathon finish is second in 2017, told BBC Sport he is excited to still be competing with the younger generation.

He will take on New York City Marathon winner and 2022 world champion Tamirat Tola, 32, from Ethiopia, as well as Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, 27, who was runner-up at the 2023 Valencia Marathon.

“I never worried about any young competitors in the race any time, but my worry sometimes is my health,” added Bekele.

“If my health was 100% there, I never fear anyone”.

Emile Cairess and Callum Hawkins are among the British elite men’s runners on Sunday.

Cairess, who finished sixth last year, is hoping to secure a spot at this year’s Paris Olympics alongside training partner Philip Sesemann.

Sesemann completed the Seville Marathon inside the qualifying time of 2:08:04 in February.

“When we first started training together, if somebody told us we could go to the Olympics together it would have probably looked pretty unrealistic,” said Cairess, 26.

“Getting to go to the Olympics with Phil would be really special and I am so happy that he has been able to do it.”