LONDON — When the men’s marathon starts Sunday morning on the Mall, reigning gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru will not be there. But the ­Kenyan’s presence will be felt by the 92 entrants chasing his title and his Olympic record. That number includes Kenyan favorites Wilson Kipsang and Abel Kirui, as well as American medal hopefuls Ryan Hall, Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman.

Asked about racing against the vaunted Kenyans, Hall said, “They’re raising the bar. We’re raising the bar, too. It’s just we’re doing it slower than they are. We’re playing catch up. I believe that they’re normal humans just like you and I.’’