NAIROBI－Kenyan distance-running greats Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot have urged fans to stay positive as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic, with the duo vowing to return to action stronger than ever.

Before the crisis shut down global sports, the two had been due to go for glory at the London Marathon last Sunday. However, as the virus crisis gripped the world in March, the iconic race was postponed until Oct 4.

Cheruiyot said that, despite itching to get back racing as soon as possible, she is just happy to be healthy these days.

"Today, there will be no London Marathon, but we will be back in action soon. Stay positive and stay healthy," said Cheruiyot, who finished second in London last year, on Sunday from Eldoret.

Reigning Olympic and London champion Kipchoge says the virus will be defeated and sports will recover from the global shutdown.

"We will return to action stronger and with a lot of hope," said the 35-year-old Kipchoge.

"The important thing is to remain focused and disciplined. We have a war to fight against the coronavirus, but we have a responsibility to remain healthy and safe."

Kipchoge and Cheruiyot were also named in the Kenya team for the Tokyo Olympics before the Games were pushed back to 2021.

Now, the 36-year-old Cheruiyot hopes to remain injury-free and be able to answer her country's call again next year.

"One year is a long time and we want to be in our best shape to compete. But we will be patient and see how the season unfolds," said Cheruiyot, who has recovered from a tendon injury which ruled her out of last year's Berlin Marathon.

"The important thing for now is to remain safe. There are no immediate plans on sports and we have to live with that. Until then, we just train as often as we can under the health guidelines."

Meanwhile, London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher has said that while he hopes the event will take place as normal on Oct 4, it could be slimmed down to an elite-only race.

"But in today's society, you can never say never. We are trying to stay really agile and to keep scenario planning. And at the moment, I don't want to discount anything until it becomes really impossible," he said.

Brasher also would not confirm whether Kipchoge or Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele had signed up for the October race.

Xinhua