As the sun rises over London on April 27, 2025, excitement fills the air as Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee prepares to take on a new challenge: his debut at the TCS London Marathon. The 27-year-old, who has made a name for himself as the most successful triathlete in Olympic history, is set to line up alongside 56,000 other runners, including some of the fastest marathoners in the world, at Blackheath.
Yee, born in Lewisham, London, has been preparing for this moment for months, trading in his usual triathlon gear for running shoes and a race bib. He has described his participation in the marathon as both a "lifelong dream" and an experiment as he strives to get stronger than ever to defend his gold medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “It feels like a lot of people are excited about how I do and it’s quite nice in a way that I can share my story with as many people as possible,” Yee said, reflecting on the anticipation surrounding his marathon debut.
Despite his accolades in triathlon, Yee admits that the marathon distance is a different beast altogether. “I know that people are intrigued by what I can do, but I also feel like this is a bit of a free hit for me,” he told The i Paper. “It is about me going out and representing triathlon as a sport and hopefully racing the best that I can.” Yee has set a target of completing the 26.2-mile race in under 2 hours and 10 minutes, a feat that would place him among the fastest British marathoners.
Yee’s preparation has included rigorous training, with weekly mileage reaching between 80 to 90 miles, and a focus on familiarizing himself with the course, including lesser-known areas like the Isle of Dogs. “I am just trying to take everything in my stride as much as I can, and hopefully everything will be okay,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
As Yee prepares to race, he is not alone in his debut; he will be joined by many other first-time marathoners. “I’ll line up alongside 40,000 other people as a complete novice, doing a first marathon,” he remarked, emphasizing the shared experience of tackling the marathon distance for the first time.
The marathon will also see the return of legendary runner Eliud Kipchoge, who has won the London Marathon a record four times. Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion, is Yee’s hero and a source of inspiration as he embarks on this new journey. “I’ve had a few WhatsApps from him, which has been pretty cool,” Yee shared. “I’m looking forward to meeting him after the race.”
Yee’s journey to this point has not been without its challenges. After suffering a serious bike crash in 2017 that left him with broken ribs and a punctured lung, he has made a remarkable comeback, culminating in his triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympics where he won gold in the men’s individual triathlon event. His trademark sprint finish, which saw him overtake rival Hayden Wilde in the final moments, is a testament to his resilience and determination.
“It definitely adds to the excitement, as a fan and as a racer,” Yee said about competing alongside some of the fastest men in marathon history. “It is just cool to be a part of what could potentially be a sub-two-hour race, a bit of history.”
As the marathon approaches, Yee has also taken time to reflect on the support he has received from his family, particularly his 93-year-old grandfather, who has inspired him throughout his life. “He is a big inspiration,” Yee said, recalling a recent parkrun they completed together. “He said to me when we were running, ‘If I die running, I’ll be happy,’ which shows how much running means to him.”
The elite racing begins at 8:50 AM, with the elite women starting at 9:05 AM, followed by Yee and the elite men at 9:35 AM. As the race unfolds, spectators and fans alike will be watching closely to see how Yee performs in this new arena.
Among the other competitors, British hopefuls Mahamed Mahamed and Philip Sesemann are also looking to make an impact. Mahamed placed fourth in last year’s marathon with a time of 2:07:05, while Sesemann has been training from home since becoming a father. The absence of Emile Cairess, who withdrew due to injury, is a blow for the British contingent, but both Mahamed and Sesemann are determined to chase personal bests.
In the women’s race, Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and Olympic silver medalist Tigst Assefa are expected to be key contenders, while Scottish athlete Eilish McColgan, the daughter of former marathon winner Liz McColgan, will also be making her debut.
As the marathon draws near, Yee’s excitement and nerves are palpable. “It’s scary just flatlining,” he said, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with the marathon distance. “I wanted to do it in a fun and unique way and the London Marathon is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
With the anticipation building and the clock ticking down, Yee is ready to take on the challenge of the London Marathon, hoping to leave his mark in a race that promises to be filled with drama, excitement, and perhaps even history.
