The streets of London are set to come alive on Sunday, April 27, 2025, as the 45th edition of the London Marathon takes center stage, featuring an unprecedented lineup of elite athletes and a massive field of over 56,000 participants. This year’s race, touted by race director Hugh Brasher as having the greatest elite fields in the history of the London Marathon, promises to deliver thrilling competition and the potential for record-breaking performances.
Among the elite contenders, Eliud Kipchoge, the legendary Kenyan marathoner and four-time champion, returns to the London Marathon for the first time since 2020. At 40 years old, Kipchoge remains a formidable force in the marathon world, having made history as the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours during a controlled event in 2019, clocking an astonishing 1:59:40 in Vienna. This time, however, did not count as an official world record, but it has set the stage for what many believe could be a breakthrough moment in competitive marathon running.
Kipchoge's last competitive outing was at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he faced a rare setback, dropping out after 19 miles due to a back injury. Nevertheless, he has spent the past four months training diligently, expressing confidence ahead of the race. “Why not? Training has gone well and I am looking forward to putting what I have been doing for the last four months on the streets of London,” Kipchoge stated. With the goal of extending his record of London victories to five, he is eager to showcase his resilience and skill.
Facing Kipchoge are several elite competitors, including last year’s champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao and Olympic gold medalist Tamirat Tola, who won the marathon at the Paris Olympics with an impressive time of 2:06:26. Mutiso, who won the 2024 London Marathon in a time of 2:04:01, is excited about the challenge ahead. He remarked, “I am happy running with the strongest field ever.” The men’s race will kick off at 9:35 AM BST, and all eyes will be on Kipchoge as he seeks to reclaim his title.
Adding to the excitement is Jacob Kiplimo, the 24-year-old Ugandan half-marathon world record holder, who is making his marathon debut. Kiplimo recently shattered the half-marathon record in Barcelona, finishing in 56:42, and he is seen as a potential contender for the elusive sub-two-hour marathon mark. “I think it is going to be the most fascinating debut ever,” Brasher commented. Kiplimo himself remains focused on his performance, stating, “On Sunday, it is about how my body will feel. I will do my best.”
The women’s race, starting at 9:05 AM BST, features another thrilling showdown between Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa. Hassan, who won gold at the Paris Olympics with a time of 2:22:55, returns to London after an impressive victory in her marathon debut two years ago. Assefa, who took silver in Paris, is also in contention, having set a mixed world record in Berlin with a time of 2:11:53. Despite the absence of world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and 2024 champion Peres Jepchirchir, the women’s field remains incredibly competitive.
Hassan expressed her determination to push the limits in this race, saying, “In the marathon, whether you like it or not you will push. Running the marathon teaches you to push.” With personal bests that place both Hassan and Assefa among the fastest female marathoners in history, spectators can expect an electrifying battle for the title.
The stakes are high this year, with a course record bonus of $25,000 for both the men’s and women’s elite fields, and a staggering $125,000 for breaking the world record. The current men’s course record stands at 2:01:25, while the women’s record is 2:16:16. With so many elite athletes gunning for these records, excitement is palpable.
This year’s race also includes a significant wheelchair competition, featuring Swiss athletes Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner, both of whom hold course records and are aiming for victory. Hug, a six-time champion in London, will be seeking his seventh title, while Debrunner aims for her third win.
As the race approaches, the weather forecast indicates temperatures in the low 20s, which could pose a challenge for many runners, particularly those in costumes. The atmosphere will be electric as thousands of spectators line the streets, ready to cheer on both elite athletes and fun-runners alike. This marathon not only showcases the best in competitive running but also serves as the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event, having raised over £1.3 billion for charities since its inception in 1981.
Among the participants are notable British athletes making their marathon debuts, including Eilish McColgan, the British record holder in multiple distance events, and Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee. Both are expected to make significant impacts in their respective races. McColgan aims to break her mother’s personal best of 2:26:52, while Yee hopes to shine in his first marathon experience.
In a celebration of endurance and athleticism, the London Marathon promises to be a day filled with personal bests, record attempts, and inspiring stories. As the countdown to the race continues, anticipation builds for what could be a historic day in marathon running.
