recovering from a stress fracture, the Italian will be using this race to see how well his preparation is going as he seeks to defend his title in Beijing, China in August.

Also confirmed for the meeting are Kenyan two-time world marathon champion Catherine Ndereba and Dutch's former world cross-country champion Lornah Kiplagat.

Like Baldini, Ndereba will also be using the race to assess her race shape, as she targets the gold in Beijing. Four-years-ago the Kenyan won silver in Athens.

Over 26,000 participants will take to the streets of central London watched by thousands of spectators through the heart of the British capital.