Defending women's champion Irina Mikitenko will travel via rail from her home in central Germany.

BBC: Britain's Mara Yamauchi arrives in London for Marathon

Germany's Irina Mikitenko, Romanian Constantina Dita and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya are amongst the favourites for the London crown.

BBC: Radcliffe out of London Marathon

Yamauchi in particular is a big loss now that the favourite, double winner Irina Mikitenko, has also withdrawn from the marathon.

BBC: World athletics predictions