London Marathon 2026: Tigist Assefa targets another win over rivals Sifan Hassan and Pires Gepchirchir

The women’s world record only applies to races held without pacemakers or male competitors.

Assefa previously held the women’s world record with a time of 2:11:53 in Berlin in 2023.

She remains the second fastest female marathon runner in history, behind Ruth Chepngitich, who was banned from the sport for three years after the Kenyan runner admitted violating anti-doping rules following a positive test in March last year.

Chepnjitic’s accomplishments prior to that sample, including her world record time of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024, still stand.

While no athlete in history had bettered Paula Radcliffe’s long-standing record of 2:15:25 until 2019, eight female athletes have surpassed that mark in the past seven years – including Assefa, Dutch star Hassan (2:13:44) and Kenyans Jepkosgei (2:14:00) and Gepchirchir (2:14:43).

Also confirmed for this year’s London Marathon has been Uruguay’s Julia Paternin, who grew up in the UK and made headlines for her astonishing reaction to completing a global podium finish with an unexpected bronze last year.

The unveiling of the elite women’s lineup for the London Marathon comes after the announcement of the elite British participants, including Emile Keres and Eilish McColgan.

In the elite wheelchair competitions, British David Weir will seek to prevent Swiss legend Marcel Haag from equaling his record of eight victories.