Flora London Marathon supremo David Bedford is adamant Paula Radcliffe's absence through injury will not prevent this year's race being another massive success.
Bedford, the meeting director of what is acknowledged as the world's greatest marathon, has attracted stellar fields in both the men's and women's races which this year will only be surpassed by the Olympic Games final in August.
Bedford lives and breathes the "FLM" and is convinced the strength in depth of the formidable array of elite global stars assembled for the event on April 13 will ensure it maintains its unmatchable reputation.
"We have assembled one of the best-ever fields for the race this year and the competition will be as fierce as ever," said Bedford of a line-up featuring reigning Olympic and world title-holders Stefano Baldini and Luke Kibet.
The former world 10,000 metres record holder is adamant however that the Flora London Marathon has a much broader charter than catering for superstars and every participant is equally important.
Bedford said: "At the elite end we must continue to get the world's best and then make sure they are looked after as well as possible.
"It is also important that the rest of the field of 36,000 also feel they are offered the same high standard of treatment."
He admitted the absence of Radcliffe with a toe injury was "a major blow" but added: "We understand that her priority in 2008 is to be in peak condition for the Olympic Games and we wish her all the best for a speedy return to full fitness.
"Even without Paula we will still have a very strong international women's field and I am sure the race will be as exciting as ever.
"We're obviously disappointed but we have to move on. Let's keep our fingers crossed that her problem resolves itself quickly so she can prepare for Beijing."
The women's line-up includes the World Marathon Majors champion Gete Wami, her fellow Ethiopian Berhane Adere, the reigning Chicago champion and national record holder, Romania's record holder Constantina Tomescu-Dita, and the veteran Russian Svetlana Zakharova.
No fewer than four women in the line-up have run quicker than two hours 22 minutes and seven have run a marathon faster than 2hrs 25mins.
Despite Radcliffe's non-appearance, there is still considerable British interest too in the battle between Hayley Haining and Liz Yelling for a place in the Great Britain Olympic marathon team.
The two are separated by just one second on their best times with Scotland's Haining running 2:30.43secs in Berlin last September and Yelling a couple of strides slower when eighth in London last April.
The men's race would be any promoter's dream team with Martin Lel not only bidding to retain and win a third title in four years, but also aiming to clinch his Olympic Games place.
Bedford was pleasantly surprised to learn that Athletics Kenya plan to base their team selections for Beijing mainly on how their athletes perform in London in what has been described by sources there as the "unofficial trial".
"I am very pleased to be able to defend my title," said 29-year-old Lel.
"I am training hard to make sure I am in top shape for my bid to win a third time.
"I know it will be tough, but I love running in London and am confident I can win again."
Lel, the only man ever to win the London and New York City marathons in the same year with superb successes at both venues in 2007, was not understating his mission.
Apart from Baldini and Kibet, he also faces the 2004 New York champion, Hendrick Ramaala, two-time world champion Jaouad Gharib and fellow countrymen Kibet, Felix Limo - the race winner two years ago - and Sammy Wanjiru.
Wanjiru is a phenomenal talent and made a sparkling marathon debut last December when smashing the Fukuoka course record with a time of 2:06.39secs - the third-quickest in the world last year.
The 21-year-old Japan-based athlete made the step up to marathon running after pursuing a highly and still successful half-marathon career.
He lowered fellow Kenyan Paul Tergat's long-standing world half-marathon record three years ago, then reclaimed it from Haile Gebrselassie in February last year, before a month later reducing it to 58:33secs.
Wanjiru has thrown down the gauntlet for London, saying he hopes to run two hours five minutes in London as he believes that is what it will take to be selected for the Kenyan Olympic team.
Ryan Hall is another outstanding newcomer to the 26-mile, 382-yard distance, and after becoming the fastest American debutant when seventh 12 months ago in London, assured himself of his Olympic vest after winning the US Men's Marathon Trials last November.
Bedford, welcoming both future stars, said: "I am delighted that these two highly-talented young marathon-runners will be part of the London Marathon story in 2008 and I am sure Sammy and Ryan will be among the main contenders as the athletes approach the finish line in The Mall."
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