World-Class Showdowns Await in the Streets of Paris: 2025 Paris Marathon Elite Field Preview

The 2025 Schneider Electric Paris Marathon is set to ignite the French capital with one of its strongest elite fields in history. On Sunday, April 13, a thrilling blend of proven champions, rising stars, and legendary comebacks will take to the fast streets of Paris with glory, records, and national pride on the line. With Olympic medalists, World Champions, and sub-2:05 and sub-2:20 marathoners on both the men's and women's start lists, the stage is set for a dramatic day of world-class distance running along the Champs-Élysées and beyond. Here’s a deep dive into the elite fields and the favorites who could make history in Paris.

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The Return of the Previous Years Champions

Rotich and Korir, past winners who dominated on Paris’s cobblestone stage, are set for another shot at glory. The race, starting from the iconic Champs-Élysées, will host a competitive elite field ready to challenge the course and each other.

Hassan Chahdi Leads the French Pack

France’s top marathoner, Hassan Chahdi (2:07:30 in London 2024), is back in the spotlight. Twentieth in the Olympic marathon last summer, Chahdi is no stranger to big stages—regularly finishing near the front in events like the adidas 10k Paris, Semi de Paris, and Run in Lyon.

He last ran Paris in 2017, finishing in 2:10:20. In 2021, he hit the halfway mark in 1:05:34 before fading to 2:52:22. Expect a stronger showing this time.

Joining him are fellow French contenders Yohan Durand (2:09:21 in 2021), Jason Pointeau (2:10:35 in 2024), and Florian Caro (2:13:42 in 2024). But no Frenchman has won in Paris since Benoît Zwierzchiewski’s 2:06:36 in 2002.

Ethiopia vs. Kenya—Again

As usual, it’s shaping up to be another showdown between Ethiopia and Kenya. Since 2008, the two nations have dominated the podium, splitting the last 16 editions nearly evenly.

Kenya's hopes rest on Frankfurt 2024 winner Bernard Biwott (2:05:54), along with Titus Kipkosgei (2:07:12), Dominic Ngeno (2:07:23), Timothy Kipkorir (2:07:53), Sila Kiptoo (2:08:09), Barnaba Kipkoech (2:08:21), and Edwin Kibichiy (2:09:20). Brian Kwemoi, with a blistering half marathon best of 59:26, will look to finally deliver over 42.2 km.

Ethiopia counters with Olika Adugna Bikila (2:06:15), Tsedat Ayana (2:06:18), Hailu Zewdu (2:06:31), Andamlak Belihu (2:06:40), Desalegn Girma (2:06:52), and Dinkalem Ayele (2:07:53).

But don’t count out others. Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (2:05:34), 2015 world champion, and Djibouti’s Ibrahim Hassan (2:06:33) could break the duopoly.

Tirunesh Dibaba Headlines a Stacked Women’s Field

The women’s race is wide open and loaded with firepower—six runners have broken 2:20. The biggest name? Tirunesh Dibaba. The three-time Olympic gold medalist and marathon bronze medalist in Berlin 2018 (2:18:55) returns with a personal best of 2:17:56 (London 2017), despite not finishing a marathon since.

She’ll be joined by fellow Ethiopians Bedatu Hirpa (2:18:27), Dera Dida (2:18:31), Zinash Senbeta (2:21:05), and Kidsan Alema (2:22:28).

Kenya counters with Amsterdam 2021 winner Angela Tanui (2:17:57), 2022 Paris champ Judith Korir, Evaline Chirchir (2:20:33), Visiline Jepkesho (2:21:37), Ivyne Jeruto (2:22:21), Agnes Keino (2:22:53), and Janet Ruguru (2:23:00). Watch for Tanzania’s Magdalena Shauri, who placed third in Berlin 2023 with 2:18:41.

Men's Elite Field:

Women's Elite Field: