DEFENDING champion Tsegaye Kebede has warned debutant Mo Farah he is in no mood to relinquish his Virgin Money London Marathon title.

Great Britain’s double Olympic champion will face the toughest test of his career on Sunday as he steps up to the marathon to take on an imposing field which features four of the fastest ten marathon runners in history.

Ethiopian Kebede won in impressive fashion 12 months ago, coming from fifth place, and more than a minute behind the leader, to taste victory in the capital for a second time.

He is just one of a host of dangers for Farah this time, with world record holder Wilson Kipsang, course record holder Emmanuel Mutai and Olympic and world champion Stephen Kiprotich also in the field, along with Geoffrey Mutai, who has run the fastest ever marathon, but on a Boston course ineligible for record purposes. Haile Gebrselassie is set to pace them to 30 kilometres at world record schedule.

Farah said on Tuesday his primary aim was to break Steve Jones’ British record of two hours, seven minutes and 13 seconds, which has stood since 1985, but the home fans lining the streets will be roaring for him to win.

Kebede, who was second in November’s New York City Marathon, said: ‘‘After running in New York I have focused only on the London Marathon.

‘‘I am in good shape and I want to win again. I’m saying, ’I will win again’.’’ The 27-year-old, though, admitted Farah was a real threat, highlighting fellow track great Kenenisa Bekele’s impressive debut victory in the Paris Marathon last Sunday as evidence of what the Briton could be capable of.

Farah is the only man other than Bekele to have won backto- back Olympic and world 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles.

‘‘Kenenisa’s run in Paris is a big example to Farah,’’ Kebede said.

‘‘There is no reason why he can’t do as well. Whether he’ll win, in this race, I don’t know, because there are lots of things that can happen.’’