Irina ready to race

Irina has arrived! The defending double London champion made her way from Germany by train and says she's ready to win a third time. "It will be a tough race. London always has the highest quality of elite runners at the start line. It's like a world championship!"

She's confident but has high respect for the race and for her competitors. "Every race is different. After the first 5 or 10 km I'll have to decide about my tactics."

Besides her will start: Constantina Dita, Olympic Champion 2008, Bai Xue, World Champion 2009, along with runner-up and third, Deena Kastor, London Champion 2006, Mara Yamauchi, London runner-up 2009, and Liliya Shobukhova who beat Irina at Chicago last October.

Despite Irina has'nt raced once since Chicago she's sure to be in form to win a third time in a row - only second woman to do so after German fellow Katrin Dörre in early 90s.