Britain's Paula Radcliffe will go head-to-head with defending champion Irina Mikitenko when she returns to action at the London Marathon next April.
Radcliffe is attempting to win for the fourth time on the London course where she set the world record in 2003.
The 34-year-old has missed the last three London events through injury and is determined to make up for lost time.
"After my victory in New York last month I'm hungry to win back my London Marathon title," said Radcliffe.
Following her three-year absence, the Bedford runner is delighted to be back in competition and is excited by the quality of the field.
"It's fantastic to be back," said Radcliffe, who won in London in 2002, 2003 and 2005.
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"The London Marathon is an amazing event, with top-class fields and great crowds and I am really excited about next year's race."
Radcliffe's return to form in New York and in the Great South Run came after a disappointing display at the Beijing Olympics where she finished 23rd in the Marathon.
Despite her success the world record holder has never won an Olympic medal but could emulate Norwegian runner Ingrid Kristiansen if she completes a quartet of wins in April's event.
German runner Mikitenko missed Beijing through injury but followed up her return with victory in September's Berlin Marathon and last month was crowned the 2007-08 World Marathon Majors champion.
Both will face competition from Olympic gold medallist Constantina Dita who will arrive in London for the eighth time seeking her first win in the event.
The 38-year-old Romanian picked up the gold in Beijing but has never finished the London Marathon higher than the third place she gained in 2007.
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