Noguchi set for London Marathon

Noguchi beat Catherine Ndereba to win Olympic gold in Athens

Japan's Olympic champion Mizuki Noguchi has confirmed she will take part in next year's London Marathon.

Noguchi, who won gold at the 2004 Games, will join Berlin champion Geta Wami and Chicago Marathon winner Berhane Adere at the 22 April event.

"I have decided to go to London because I want the opportunity to test myself against the best athletes in the world," said Noguchi.

World Road-Running Championship winner Lorna Kiplagat will also take part.

"We are extremely pleased to have such a strong field in London including the Olympic Champion," said London Marathon race director David Bedford.

"I feel this is the most competitive women's field that has ever been assembled in London, and we are looking forward to witnessing a very exciting race.

"The women's race will be run under championship conditions with no male pacemakers."

Russian duo Galina Bogomolova and Lyudmila Petrova are also in the field.

606 DEBATE: Who do you think could win the women's race?

Noguchi won the 2005 Berlin Marathon in a time of two hours, 19.12 minutes to claim three new records.

She set the course record, the Japanese record and the Asian record, making her the third-fastest female marathon runner of all time.