by Justin Lagat
Past winners, including Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, Vivian Cheruiyot, and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, return for more titles in the women’s race.
Below are the intriguing observations to make during the 2025 edition of the London Marathon on 27th April:
1. How long will Eliud Kipchoge keep inspiring?
In 2003, before many of the runners who will participate in the 2025 London Marathon were born, Eliud Kipchoge had already become a World Champion. He has been at the top of the world since that time, spanning more years than his age at the time. How inspiring will that be, especially for runners who were not yet born in 2003, when they get to run in the same race with someone they have been hearing about while they were toddlers?
Being a big contender for an upcoming major race is one thing. But, being a big contender in major competitions for more than 20 years, and already having won eleven world marathon majors titles, besides being a world and Olympic champion is different thing altogether.
2. With her range from 1500m to Marathon, will Siffan Hassan be beatable?
Speed and endurance are the perfect definition of the Netherlands’ Siffan Hassan. He has the speed that can place her on the podium of a 1500m race at major world championships, and the endurance that makes her the reigning Olympic champion in the marathon.
London Marathon has a special place in Hassan’s heart. This is where she made her debut in 2003, where she went ahead to win it after stopping to stretch her leg.
However, the marathon distance is cruel to everyone and unpredictable. Nevertheless, it will be great to watch how Hassan does here.
London, England, United Kingdom
April 23, 2023, photo by Kevin Morris
3. What will Jacob Kiplimo’s 56:42 half Marathon translate to in the marathon?
In February this year, at the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelona by Brooks half marathon event, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo ran a historic 56:42, becoming the first human ever to run the distance in under 57 minutes. He still maintains the same form in his body, and it will be intriguing to see how he performs in his marathon debut in London.
While half-marathon performances have typically indicated good potential for the marathon distance, they have not necessarily translated to success for some famous half-marathon runners. Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese, who once held the half marathon world record and still holds national records for his country at 26:37.25 for the 10,000m and at 58:23 for the half marathon, his best time for the marathon was only 2:11:29.
4. Will the women’s only world record remain intact on Sunday?
Despite the withdrawal of the two Kenyan women, Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir, who hold the women’s and women ‘s-only world records, respectively, for the marathon, the women’s start list is still full of great talents capable of going after the women ‘s-only world record.
Jepchirchir, who would have been returning to defend her title, set the world record of 2:16:16 last year on the same course. Interestingly, this is the same course where Mary Keitany, the previous world record holder, also set her previous record of 2:17:01.
With Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa (2:11:53), Hasan (2:13:44), Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:16:24), Megertu Alemu (2:16:34) and Eilish McColgan, among other big stars competing, it will be more surprising if a new women’s only world record is not set than when it is set!
Standing at 2:09:56, perhaps Chepngetich’s world record may be out of reach, but everything is possible these days with advancement in training methods, nutrition and racing shoe technology.
