The streets of London are about to become the fastest place on Earth. Event organizers have pulled back the curtain on the 2026 TCS London Marathon elite field, and the numbers are staggering. On April 26, the capital will play host to a “reunion of champions” featuring the entire Paris Olympic podium, multiple world record holders, and a new generation of British stars chasing history.
The Men’s Race: A Hunt for the Course Record
Reigning champion Sabastian Sawe (2:02:05) returns to defend his title, but the target on his back has never been larger. Sawe, who dominated 2025 with wins in London and Berlin, will face his greatest rival, Jacob Kiplimo (2:02:23), in a rematch of the two fastest marathoners of the previous season.
The wildcard? Track royalty is officially moving to the roads. 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei returns, while the world of athletics holds its breath for the marathon debut of Yomif Kejelcha—the indoor mile world record holder whose range is now being tested over 26.2 miles.
Men’s Elite Field (Sub-2:07 & Key Debuts)
| Athlete | Country | Personal Best |
| Sabastian Sawe | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:02:05 |
| Jacob Kiplimo | 🇺🇬 UGA | 2:02:23 |
| Deresa Geleta | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:02:38 |
| Amos Kipruto | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:03:13 |
| Tamirat Tola | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:03:39 |
| Amanal Petros | 🇩🇪 GER | 2:04:03 |
| Geoffrey Kamworor | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:04:23 |
| Joshua Cheptegei | 🇺🇬 UGA | 2:04:52 |
| Shunya Kikuchi | 🇯🇵 JPN | 2:06:06 |
| Emile Cairess | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:06:46 |
| Yomif Kejelcha | 🇪🇹 ETH | Debut |
| Hagos Gebrhiwet | 🇪🇹 ETH | Debut |
The Women’s Race: The Strongest Field Ever Assembled?
If you want to see the world’s best, look no further. The 2026 women’s field features four of the six fastest women in history. Defending champion and women-only world record holder Tigst Assefa (2:11:53) and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan (2:13:44) headline a race that many believe will shatter the current women-only world record of 2:15:50.
Perhaps the most intriguing storyline is the arrival of Hellen Obiri. The two-time Boston and New York champion has famously dominated hilly, tactical courses. For the first time, she will bring her legendary finishing kick to London’s flat, lightning-fast circuit.
Women’s Elite Field (Sub-2:25)
| Athlete | Country | Personal Best |
| Tigst Assefa | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:11:53 |
| Sifan Hassan | 🇳🇱 NED | 2:13:44 |
| Joyciline Jepkosgei | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:14:00 |
| Peres Jepchirchir | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:14:43 |
| Megertu Alemu | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:16:34 |
| Hellen Obiri | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:17:41 |
| Degitu Azimeraw | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:17:58 |
| Catherine Reline Amanang’ole | 🇰🇪 KEN | 2:20:34 |
| Balemelay Shumet | 🇪🇹 ETH | 2:21:59 |
| Charlotte Purdue | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:22:17 |
| Laura Luengo | 🇪🇸 ESP | 2:22:31 |
| Rose Harvey | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:23:21 |
| Abbie Donnelly | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:24:11 |
| Florencia Borelli | 🇦🇷 ARG | 2:24:18 |
| Eilish McColgan | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:24:25 |
| Jessica Warner-Judd | 🇬🇧 GBR | 2:24:45 |
The British Charge: Chasing Sir Mo
The domestic race is equally explosive. Emile Cairess (2:06:46) has a single goal: Sir Mo Farah’s British record of 2:05:11. Cairess leads a deep group of Brits including Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann, both of whom are now ranked in the British all-time top five.
On the women’s side, Eilish McColgan returns to the capital after setting a new European 10K record in January. She is joined by Charlotte Purdue, Rose Harvey, and Abbie Donnelly, making this the most competitive British women’s field in recent memory.
Photo Credit: TCS London Marathon
