The spotlight returns to the TCS London Marathon this Sunday, with an elite men’s field built around the intensifying rivalry between Sabastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo.
Sawe arrives as defending champion after a dominant 2:02:27 performance last year, one of the fastest times ever recorded on the London course. The Kenyan has been nearly untouchable over the distance, winning all three of his marathons so far.
His trajectory has been defined by consistency at elite pace, including a personal best of 2:02:05 set in Valencia. He followed up his London triumph with another victory in Berlin, reinforcing his position as the man to beat.
Sawe expects another brutal contest this weekend, pointing to the level of competition assembled. “The TCS London Marathon course is one of the most beautiful and fastest courses in the world,” he said.
He believes history may need to be rewritten for anyone to win.
“It was my first time running in London last year and it was one of the proudest moments of my life to cross the line as champion. I am excited to be coming back in 2026 and I know now a little bit more about what I can expect. I am sure with the quality of athletes coming to London it will take another fast time to win again, perhaps the type of effort the great Kelvin Kiptum put in when he set the course record in 2023.”
Sebastian Sawe
Kiplimo, however, is no longer the debutant who finished second last year. The Ugandan has since sharpened his credentials with a Chicago Marathon win and a national record of 2:02:23.
His rise has extended beyond the marathon, with a third consecutive world cross-country title and a pending world half marathon record of 57:20. That range of dominance makes him arguably the most versatile threat in the field.
A Course Record Under Siege
The benchmark remains Kiptum’s 2:01:25 course record, a mark that looms over this year’s race. With multiple athletes now running comfortably under 2:03:00, the pace could again push into historic territory.
Among those adding depth is Joshua Cheptegei, making his London debut despite already holding world records on the track. His transition to the marathon continues to draw scrutiny after mixed results in earlier attempts.
Olympic champion Tamirat Tola returns for his fifth London appearance, bringing both experience and consistency. He has finished in the top six on four occasions and recently secured victory in Doha.
The field also features proven winners like Amos Kipruto and Geoffrey Kamworor, alongside rising threats such as Deresa Geleta. Athletes like Yomif Kejelcha add another unpredictable dimension.
Attention will also turn to the women’s race, where Tigst Assefa returns as defending champion. Her women-only world record of 2:15:50 from last year sets the standard. Assefa has built a reputation for delivering in major races, backed by two Berlin wins and global silver medals.
She enters as favourite, particularly after key rivals withdrew due to injury. “Winning last year’s TCS London Marathon and setting a women-only world record was one of the proudest moments of my career,” Assefa said. “I want to repeat that again this year,” she added.
Her broader record reinforces that ambition, with a personal best of 2:11:53 that once stood as a world record in mixed competition. She has finished in the top two in her last six marathons.
Still, the Ethiopian faces serious challengers, including Joyciline Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri. Both bring winning pedigree and recent form capable of disrupting expectations.
Jepkosgei arrives fresh off a Valencia victory in a world-leading 2:14:00. Obiri, meanwhile, continues her dominance in major city marathons, with multiple wins in Boston and New York.
With depth across both races and multiple athletes in peak form, Sunday’s contest is shaping into more than a title defence or rivalry renewal. It is a direct assault on the limits of marathon performance, with the clock as much an opponent as the field.
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