Paul Tergat, Hendrick Ramaala and Haile Gebrselassie will line up in next year's Flora London Marathon.

Race director David Bedford, who confirmed the trio's participation, admitted he was enthralled by the battle to the finishing line between world record-holder Tergat and South African defending champion Ramaala in the New York marathon.

Kenyan Tergat won by half a stride in an exciting finish and Bedford said: ''It was a stunning race and a great advertisement for the sport.''

Ramaala is eager for a re-match with Tergat and he wants it to take place in London on April 23.

''I was beaten by a big champion. I'd love to race Paul again. I know he is running in London and I think Haile will be there too so I want to be there for sure,'' he insisted.

Gebrselassie has a long-term contract for the London race, ensuring his presence next year and offering up the possibility of a three-way battle for the title.

Bedford, impressed by the standards in world marathons, saluted the New York exploits of Tergat and Ramaala.

''What an incredible race they had,'' he said. ''The pair of them were absolutely brilliant and they, along with the remaining current crop of runners, are capable of producing some great head-to-heads. Now I've got to start gathering together a great field for next year's London race.''

* Jason Gardener is adamant he can challenge for a gold medal at next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Britain's No 1 100 metres runner will be taking part in his third Commonwealths and four years ago was the top English 100m finisher ahead of the more fancied duo of Mark Lewis-Francis and Dwain Chambers.

Then Gardener was lead-off man in the 4x100m relay where, along with Marlon Devonish, Allyn Condon and Darren Campbell, he won a gold medal.

''I've been working really hard for the Commonwealths and I want to get there in fantastic shape,'' said Gardener.

He added: ''We're going to organise a 100m race in Bath and hopefully there will be several others at other venues around the country.''