“This is quite simply the greatest elite field in the history of the London Marathon,” Mr Brasher said in January. “We have all four Paralympic and Olympic marathon champions, not to mention an Olympic triathlon champion in Alex Yee.”
He added: “We are always proud when we hear athletes say that the TCS London Marathon is harder to win than the Olympic or Paralympic marathon. The reason they say that is because of the quality of the fields we assemble here in London, and this year, our historic 45th edition, is stronger than ever before.”
Peres Jepchirchir won the women’s London Marathon in 2024
AP
Keep reading to get the form guide for this year’s race.
Who are the favourites to win the London Marathon 2025?
Vivian Cheruiyot, 41, is old enough to have competed in the Sydney 2000 Olympics
AP
On the women’s side, two of the three fastest women of all time are in town, with Tigist Assefa, the former world record holder, and Sifan Hassan, the Olympic champion, set to compete.
Now 41, Vivian Cheruiyot, who won the race in 2018 and took 5,000m gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is back in the lineup. Fellow Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 champion, is also competing, while Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu returns as a two-time podium finisher in London.
Britain’s Eilish McColgan is making her marathon debut, aiming to set a new Scottish record over the distance.
Multiple champion Peres Jepchirchir and the aforementioned world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich were initially on the entry list but have since withdrawn from the race.
Eliud Kipchoge is no longer a favourite but cannot be ruled out
AP
As for the men, a big draw is Jacob Kiplimo – the half marathon world record holder who is making his debut over the 26.2 miles in London.
But he will have his work cut out to beat Tamirat Tola, the Ethiopian who won marathon gold in Paris 2024 and was the 2022 world marathon champion.
Tola did not finish in London last year, but Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, winner last year, is back to defend his title. Countryman Sebastian Sawe is another good bet, having won in Valencia last year with the fastest-ever debut time.
Another Kenyan, Eliud Kipchoge, has the fastest PB in the field, but the former world record holder and four-time winner here is now 40 and dropped out of last year’s Olympic marathon.
In the absence of the injured Emile Cairess, British hopes rest on Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann, while Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee is making his debut.
Full elite men’s field for the London Marathon 2025
(Please note that any changes may occur closer to the event.)
Eliud Kipchoge (Ken, Personal best 2:01:09)
Alexander Mutiso Munyao (Ken, 2:03:11)
Sabastian Sawe (Ken, 2:02:05)
Timothy Kiplagat (Ken, 2:02:55)
Milkesa Mengesha (Eth, 2:03:17)
Tamirat Tola (Eth, 2:03:39)
Mohamed Esa (Eth, 2:04:39)
Abdi Nageeye (Ned, 2:04:45)
Hillary Kipkoech (Ken, 2:04:45)
Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee is making his debut
PA Wire
Amanal Petros (GER, 2:04:58)
Sondre Nordstad Moen (NOR, 2:05:48)
Yemaneberhan Crippa (ITA, 2:06:06)
Andrew Buchanan (AUS, 2:06:22)
Mahamed Mahamed (GBR, 2:07:05)
Brett Robinson (AUS, 2:07:31)
Jacob Sommer Simonsen (DEN, 2:07:51)
Philip Sesemann (GBR, 2:08:02)
Adam Lipschitz (RSA, 2:08:54)
Jonathan Mellor (GBR, 2:09:06)
Dewi Griffiths (GBR, 2:09:49)
Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR, 2:09:50)
Jake Smith (GBR, 2:11:00)
Jack Rayner (AUS, 2:11:06)
Kevin Salvano (USA, 2:11:26)
Luke Caldwell (GBR, 2:11:33)
Marcelo Laguera (MEX, 2:11:54)
Andrew Heyes (GBR, 2:13:52)
Alexander Lepretre (GBR, 2:15:01)
David Bishop (GBR, 2:15:19)
Logan Smith (GBR, 2:15:49)
William Mycroft (GBR, 2:15:54)
James Hoad (GBR, 2:16:29)
Alex Milne (GBR, 2:16:30)
Chris Thomas (GBR, 2:16:32)
Carl Avery (GBR, 2:17:01)
Sean Hogan (GBR, 2:17:02)
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA, Debut)
Jonathan Davies (GBR, Debut)
Sifan Hassan is one of the greatest track athletes of all time, having secured multiple Olympic and World Championship gold medals across the 1,500m, 5,000m and 10,000m
AFP via Getty Images
Full elite women’s field for the London Marathon 2025
(Please note that any changes may occur closer to the event.)
Tigst Assefa (ETH, 2:11:53)
Sifan Hassan (NED, 2:13:44)
Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN, 2:16:24)
Megertu Alemu (ETH, 2:16:34)
Stella Chesang (UGA, 2:18:26)
Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN, 2:18:31)
Haven Hailu Desse (ETH, 2:19:29)
Susanna Sullivan (USA, 2:21:56)
Charlotte Purdue (GBR, 2:22:17)
Sofiia Yaremchuk (ITA, 2:23:16)
Rose Harvey (GBR, 2:23:21)
Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi (MAR, 2:24:12)
Philippa Bowden (GBR, 2:25:47)
Emily Durgin (USA, 2:26:46)
Molly Bookmyer (USA, 2:28:52)
Louise Small (GBR, 2:29:33)
Eilish McColgan (GBR, Debut)
Holly Archer (GBR, Debut)
