Ruth Chepng’etich is tipped to obliterate an elite field in the London Marathon April but must be in peak condition to cruise to victory.
World marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich is the favorite to win the London Marathon if her achievements are anything to go by according to the organisers.
Chepng’etich faces two-time Berlin marathon champion Tigst Assefa and Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan in the event set for April 27. Defending champion Peres Jepchirchir will also look to obliterate the field once again to defend her title.
Ruth Chepng’etich will look to redeem herself in the London Marathon after finishing ninth last year but faces competition from Peres Jepchirchir and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan.
It means the three fastest women in history – Chepngetich, Assefa and Hassan – will all toe the line in the British capital. “This is quite simply the greatest elite field in the history of the London Marathon,” said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events told World Athletics.
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“We are welcoming back all our defending champions and, excitingly, Ruth Chepngetich who produced one of the most outstanding performances of all time when she became the first woman to run inside 2:10 in Chicago last year.”
Brasher insisted that this year’s edition will be the greatest ever. “In Ruth, Sifan Hassan and Tigist Assefa we have the three fastest women of all time in the field in a thrilling showdown. All three have run inside 2:14 and no marathon in history has ever had a faster line-up. This year, our historic 45th edition, is stronger than ever before.”
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The race will also include 2021 London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei and Valencia Marathon champion Alemu Megertu, who finished third and fourth respectively in London this year. They’re among the six women in the field with a PB faster than 2:17.
Ethiopia’s 2023 Osaka Marathon champion Haven Hailu, Ugandan record-holder Stella Chesang and world bronze medallist Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi are also in the line-up, while Commonwealth 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan is set to make her marathon debut.
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Sifan Hassan has dismissed claims of being the greatest, focusing instead on improving and achieving record-breaking marathon performances.
