2025 London Marathon Elite Preview: Legends, Records, and Debuts Set the Stage

The 2025 TCS London Marathon is set for a blockbuster showdown this Sunday, April 27, with one of the deepest and most intriguing elite fields in the event’s 45-year history. With a mix of marathon legends, Olympic champions, and bold new challengers, records could fall and reputations could rise.

• How to Watch London Marathon 2025 Live
• London Marathon 2025 Results

Men’s Race: Kipchoge Returns, Kiplimo Debuts

Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon’s GOAT, headlines the men’s field in his first London appearance since 2020. Now 40, Kipchoge is chasing a fifth London title after a rocky 2024 that included a 10th-place finish in Tokyo and a DNF at the Paris Olympics. Still, his best of 2:01:09 and unmatched racing intelligence make him a contender.

But the spotlight may be shifting. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo is making what London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher called “the most fascinating marathon debut ever.” At 24, Kiplimo shattered the half marathon world record in February with 56:41. The reigning world cross-country champion and Olympic medalist over 10,000m has proven speed, but can he endure the grind of 26.2 miles?

Defending champion Alexander Mutiso of Kenya returns after clocking 2:04:01 last year and lowering his personal best to 2:03:11 in Valencia. He knows the course and will not give up his crown easily.

Also lining up is Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, the reigning Olympic and 2022 world marathon champion, fresh off a win in New York. A master tactician and proven big-race performer, Tola could control the race if it turns tactical.

Depth in the men’s field is staggering. Sebastian Sawe, who ran 2:02:05 in Valencia last year—the fifth fastest ever—arrives with serious ambitions. Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha (2:03:17), Kenya’s Timothy Kiplagat (2:02:55), and Dutch record-holder Abdi Nageeye (2:04:45) bring even more firepower.

The absence of Kenenisa Bekele, who withdrew late, is a blow to purists hoping for one more chapter in the Kipchoge-Bekele rivalry. But even without him, the race could produce fireworks—especially if anyone threatens the £112,000 time bonus for going under 2:02:00.

British hopes include marathon debutant Alex Yee, the Olympic triathlon champion, and experienced names like Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann. Yee’s switch to the road is a wildcard and one of the race’s quieter but compelling storylines.

Women’s Race: Hassan vs Assefa, with History on the Line

With world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and reigning champion Peres Jepchirchir out, the women’s race centers around a high-stakes showdown between two of the fastest marathoners in history: Sifan Hassan and Tigist Assefa.

Hassan, the reigning Olympic marathon champion, returns to the streets where she stunned the world last year. In her 2023 London debut, the Dutch star stopped mid-race to stretch, then surged to win in 2:18:33. She followed that up with bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m in Paris before winning the Olympic marathon in dramatic fashion. Her championship pedigree and fearlessness make her a favorite again.

Ethiopia’s Assefa is arguably the biggest threat. She owns the second-fastest marathon time ever—2:11:53—and took silver behind Hassan in Paris. Assefa, twice a winner in Berlin, brings raw speed and a desire for revenge.

The women’s field doesn’t drop off from there. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 London champion, and Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu (2:16:34) have both gone under 2:17. Uganda’s Stella Chesang (2:18:26) adds to a field that could go out fast and stay there.

British attention is firmly on Eilish McColgan, who finally makes her marathon debut after injuries delayed her 2023 attempt. The multiple national record-holder is chasing the Scottish record (2:26:40) and her mother Liz McColgan’s family best (2:26:52), rather than mixing it up at the front—at least for now.

What’s at Stake

The winners in each elite race will earn £41,000, but bigger headlines could come from the clock. A special bonus of £112,000 is on offer for any man under 2:02:00 or woman under 2:15:00. With the mix of world record holders, Olympic gold medallists, and hungry debutants, it’s not out of reach.

In the marathon world, few stages are bigger or deeper than London. On Sunday, we’ll see if youth can challenge greatness, and if legends can still rise.

Elite women 

Elite field

1. Tigist Assefa (ETH) 2:11:53
2. Sifan Hassan (NED) 2:13:44
3. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) 2:16:24
4. Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:16:34
5. Stella Chesang (UGA) 2:18:26
6. Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN) 2:18:31
7. Haven Hailu Desse (ETH) 2:19:29
8. Susanna Sullivan (USA) 2:21:56
9. Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 2:22:17
10. Sofiia Yaremchuk (ITA) 2:23:16
11. Rose Harvey (GBR) 2:23:21
12. Philippa Bowden (GBR) 2:25:47
13. Molly Bookmyer (USA) 2:28:52
14. Eilish McColgan (GBR) debut
15. Holly Archer (GBR) debut

Elite men

1. Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:01:09
2. Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 2:02:05
3. Timothy Kiplagat (KEN) 2:02:55
4. Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) 2:03:11
5. Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) 2:03:17
6. Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:03:39
7. Mohamed Esa (ETH) 2:04:39
8. Abdi Nageeye (NED) 2:04:45
9. Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) 2:04:45
10. Amanal Petros (GER) 2:04:58
11. Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR) 2:05:48
12. Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA) 2:06:06
13. Andrew Buchanan (AUS) 2:06:22
14. Mahamed Mahamed (GBR) 2:07:05
15. Philip Sesemann (GBR) 2:08:02
16. Adam Lipschitz (RSA) 2:08:54
17. Jonathan Mellor (GBR) 2:09:06
18. Dewi Griffiths (GBR) 2:09:49
19. Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR) 2:09:50
20. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) debut
21. Alex Yee (GBR) debut