Jepchirchir, Chepng’etich and Hassan to clash at London Marathon

The stage is set for an electrifying showdown on April 27, as the women’s field of the London Marathon gears up for a clash of titans.

Reigning champion Peres Jepchirchir, world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich and 2023 champion Sifan Hassan of Netherlands, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024, headline a stellar start list, promising a contest for the ages.

Jepchirchir clocked 2:16:16 last year to set a new women-only world record, shattering Mary Keitany’s previous record of 2:17:01, also achieved on the London course.

The 32-year-old will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing showing at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 15th in 2:26:51, a far cry from her Tokyo 2020 triumph.

At Tokyo 2020, Jepchirchir clocked 2:27:20, leading Brigid Kosgei ( 2:27:36 ) and USA’s Molly Seidel ( 2:27:46 ).

She announced her return to the British capital on her Instagram page.

“Competing in the London Marathon gives me emotions every time. I love this incredible city, London see you there. I’m proud to announce that I will be competing in the London Marathon 2025,” Jepchirchir shared on her socials.

 Despite her recent struggles, Jepchirchir remains a formidable force.

Her glittering career includes a third-place finish from London in 2023 clocking 2:18:38 behind Hassan ( 2:18:33 ) and Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu ( 2:18:37 ).

In 2021 she secured the New York title in 2:22:39 with Viola Cheptoo ( 2:22:44 ) and Ethiopia’s Ababel Yeshaneh ( 2:22:52 ) chasing.

The following year, she claimed the Boston title in 2:21:01.

Standing in Jepchirchir’s way is Ruth Chepng’etich, the marathon world record holder.

Chepng’etich shattered the barriers of the women’s marathon in October 2024 by becoming the first woman to run sub-2:10 ( 2:09:56 ) at the Chicago Marathon.

She cemented her status as a dominant force on the roads as the only woman to claim a hattrick of titles in Chicago following wins in 2021 ( 2:22:31 ) and 2022 ( 2:14:18 ).

In 2020, she placed third in London, clocking 2:22:05 behind Kosgei ( 2:18:58 ) and USA’s Sara Hall ( 2:22:01 ).

Chepng’etich is the 2019 world champion having clocked 2:32:43 in Doha, Qatar.

The Kenyan’s biggest threat is Hassan.

Hassan’s meteoric rise in the marathon has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The Dutch star won Olympic gold in Paris last year in only her third Olympic appearance, clocking an Olympic record of 2:22:55, edging out Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa ( 2:22:58) and Hellen Obiri ( 2:23:10 ).

Her marathon debut came in London in 2023, where she outpaced Jepchirchir and Megertu in a thrilling finish to clock 2:18:33.

In her second appearance, Hassan bested Chepng’etich in Chicago, claiming the title in 2:13:44 with Chepng’etich second in 2:15:37.

Hassan expressed her emotions of returning to the course where she made her marathon debut.

“It feels so special to be back at the London Marathon. This is where I ran my very first marathon and began my journey in the long distance. It’s where I learnt to be patient and trust myself and keep pushing even when it feels impossible,” Hassan told World Athletics.