London Marathon 2026: Tigst Assefa targets another win against rivals Sifan Hassan and Peres Jepchirchir
The newly established women-only world record category applies specifically to races that exclude male pacemakers and competitors. The current holder of the outright women’s marathon world record is Tigist Assefa, whose impressive time of 2:11:53 was achieved at the Berlin Marathon in 2023. Despite holding this record, Assefa is recognized as the second-fastest female marathon runner in history. The top spot is currently held by Ruth Chepngetich, who previously recorded a time of 2:09:56 during the Chicago Marathon in 2024. However, Chepngetich’s career has been marred by a three-year suspension due to anti-doping violations stemming from a positive test in March of last year. While her earlier records remain valid, the integrity of her current standing has come into question.
Before 2019, Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding record of 2:15:25 had not been surpassed by any female athlete for an extended period. However, the past seven years have witnessed a significant leap in performance, with eight women exceeding Radcliffe’s benchmark. Among these are Assefa, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, who clocked 2:13:44, and Kenyans Brigid Jepkosgei and Peruth Chemutai, with times of 2:14:00 and 2:14:43, respectively. This surge in elite female marathon times highlights a rapid advancement in women’s long-distance running, often attributed to enhanced training methods, increased competitive opportunities, and greater investment in women’s sports.
Looking ahead, the London Marathon has confirmed a strong elite women’s line-up for this year’s event, featuring notable athletes. Among them is Julia Paternain from Uruguay, who grew up in the UK and gained attention last year for her remarkable performance, which fulfilled her unexpected aspirations of winning a bronze medal. This showcase of talent further emphasizes the growing competitiveness in elite women’s marathon racing.
The unveiling of the elite women’s entries follows the announcement of key British participants in this year’s race, including Emile Cairess and Eilish McColgan, both of whom are anticipated to challenge for the podium. Their participation adds an extra layer of excitement to the event, particularly in the context of the evolving landscape of female marathon racing.
In parallel, the elite wheelchair events are also set to draw significant attention. Great Britain’s David Weir aims to secure victory and prevent Swiss champion Marcel Hug from matching his record of eight wins in this category. This rivalry underscores the depth of competition across all divisions in the marathon, as athletes strive to etch their names into the annals of sports history.
In summary, the landscape of women’s marathoning is rapidly changing, with new records being set and female athletes continuing to push boundaries. Assefa’s achievements, alongside the performances of her peers, signal a new era in women’s distance running. The upcoming London Marathon will serve not only as a platform for these elite athletes but also as a celebration of the achievements and growing recognition of women in the sport.
