The top European finisher in the 2016 women’s Olympic Marathon will be on the start line in Düsseldorf: Volha Mazuronak, who finished fifth in Rio, will run the METRO Marathon Düsseldorf on April 29. The world-class runner from Belarus should start as the women’s favourite while the addition of Japan’s Hideyuki Ikegami brings another leading runner to the men’s field.

Start of Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon from 2017, photo by Dubai Marathon. This was my first time to Dubai, and also to the Dubai Marathon. The short trip has reminded me how important it is that events have good teams, good sponsors and great venue. Dubai has all three.

Here's a final column of the Dubai marathon by Pat Butcher, one of the journalists that we rely on for updates on marathons around the world. This is my first visit to Dubai, and the race looks like it could be terribly fast, maybe even challenging the world record. Tamirat Tola, 2016 Olympic bronze medalist over 10,000m, World Championship silver medalist over the marathon is in top condition. At the presser, Tola told us he is in better shape than in 2017.

Organisers of the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon have confirmed that Tirunesh Dibaba and defending champion Daniel Wanjiru will return to the IAAF Gold Label road race on 22 April.