Reigning champion Tigst Assefa is targeting a repeat of her record-breaking London Marathon victory when she resumes her fascinating rivalry with Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and world champion Peres Jepchirchir in this year’s race.
Four of the six fastest women in history will go head-to-head at the London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April, with Joyciline Jepkosgei also set to compete.
In the elite men’s race, defending champion Sebastian Sawe has predicted a course record will be required for victory over a field which also includes half-marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo, who finished runner-up in London over 26.2 miles last year.
Assefa triumphed in a women-only world record time of two hours 15 minutes 50 seconds in 2025.
But the Ethiopian was denied golds at the past two major global athletics championships in dramatic sprint finishes against rivals Hassan and Jepchirchir, themselves both past winners in London.
“Winning last year’s London Marathon and setting a women-only world record was one of the proudest moments of my career, and I want to repeat that again this year,” said Assefa.
“To do that I know I will have to beat great champions like Peres and Sifan. They have been tough competitors for me and we have had some great battles. I hope that this year I can come out on top.”