Sports

2026 London Marathon: Favourites, form, and course record potentiality

Luke Oluoch 25th April, 2026 05:57 PM

The 2026 London Marathon is set to go down this Sunday, April 26, 2026, across the streets of the English capital. This year’s event is more than just a race; it is a global showdown of champions.

With top athletes in peak form, fans can expect fast times, thrilling competition, and possibly record-breaking performances.

K24 Digital Sports delves into the science and the stars behind this potential record-breaking event.

Lodon Marathon — The Londom marathon star studded line up. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/LondonMarathon

Among the stars headlining the show are Sebastian Sawe, the defending champion and undefeated Kenyan star seeking a second successive London title, and Jacob Kiplimo, who returns to the London course seeking redemption.

Kiplimo approaches the race fresh off a sensational half-marathon world record of 57:31 in Lisbon, Portugal, and is hungry to flip the script.

Jacob Kiplimo celebrating his Lisbon Half Marathon feat. PHOTO/https://www.facebook.com/jacobkiplimo01

The two are among the world’s top marathoners, but the list does not end there. Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei—the world record holder over 5,000m and 10,000 m—and an Ethiopian trio consisting of Tamirat Tola (the reigning Olympic Marathon champion from Paris 2024), Deresa Geleta (boasting an impressive PB of under 2:03), and Yomif Kejelcha are also in the field.

Sawe will have the support of fellow Kenyans Geoffrey Kamworor, Amos Kipruto, and Isaiah Lasoi, making for an enticing battle for East African supremacy.

Kelvin Kiptum’s course record

Pundits are forecasting the possibility of the course record, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, being smashed on Sunday. According to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, conditions in London are expected to be cool on Sunday, adding credence to the possibility of a record-breaking performance.

Speaking to the media ahead of the event, Sawe acknowledged that a back-to-back victory will likely require a time close to the course record of 2:01:25.

“With the quality of athletes coming to London, it will take another fast time to win, perhaps something close to what Kelvin Kiptum achieved when he set the course record in 2023,” he stated.