Will ‘greatest’ London Marathon line-ups break records?

Are records going to be broken? Prior to the London Marathon this year, that is the big question.

Following an announcement in January, race director Hugh Brasher declared that the 45th edition of the race had “the greatest elite fields in the history of the London Marathon.”

The women’s race still features the second and third fastest athletes of all time, despite Ruth Chepngetich’s 2024 champion and Peres Jepchirchir’s late withdrawal.

Sifan Hassan, one of four reigning Olympic and Paralympic marathon champions in this year’s competition, is one of them. She makes her debut in 2023 with a remarkable comeback victory.

Eliud Kipchoge, the record-holder for the men’s half marathon, and Jacob Kiplimo, the fastest man in history, will lead the pack in the men’s race.

Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner, the world’s and course record-holders, compete in the elite wheelchair competitions.

Who will prevail, and will they also receive a lucrative bonus and a piece of history?

Could a debutant be the one who shines in a top-tier men’s race with ten men who have completed a marathon in less than two hours and five minutes?

Kiplimo, 24, who ran a half marathon in under 57 minutes in Barcelona in 56:42, breaking the previous record by 48 seconds, was the first ever to do so in less than 57 minutes.

After Kipchoge demonstrated that was possible in controlled conditions in 2019, many people were persuaded by his performance that he could break the two-hour barrier in a competitive marathon.

According to Brasher, “I believe this will be the most fascinating debut ever.”

“Is he a potential athlete who can run in less than two hours?” Yes. But wait, see what happens on Sunday.

Kiplimo told BBC Sport, “I’ve seen a lot of people saying I’ll be the one to run in less than two hours.” It will be about how my body will feel on Sunday.

Distance runner legend and two-time Olympia champion Kipchoge, whose official personal best is 2:01:09, will compete alongside Kiplimo.

The Kenyan, who won his fourth race in London last year, claimed he can “absolutely win again” and believes a sub-two hour marathon will not be far away.

The only thing people should do is to dare to try, to be daredevil, and to be entertained. I’ve shown them how to create history. “I believe we will look at someone who is running under two hours,” said Kapchoge.

The 40-year-old added that he still wanted to run some races “before the end of my career,” adding that he still wanted to inspire someone somewhere. I have a strong desire to work out every day, promote and inspire others, and inspire them to make the world a running place.

Alexander Mutiso Munyao, 28, who is currently competing for the title, said he is “happy running with the strongest field ever” with Tamirat Tola and Sabastian Sawe, both of whom are present.

Hopes for a new women’s record are far from over with the absence of Chepngetich and Jepchirchir, but Tigst Assefa and Hassan’s presence on the start line means that.

Jepchir’s 2024 London winning time of 2: 16: 16, which also serves as the women’s-only world record, is the only time the elite women compete separately in London. Hassan and Assefa both ran more quickly than that.

Assefa from Ethiopia set the record for the mixed world championships in Berlin in 2023 by running in 2:11:53, suggesting a similar result might be possible this year.

She said, “I ran a half marathon in December, and that was a test.”

Hassan’s involvement is never dull, though.

The 32-year-old Dutch star finished 2: 18: 33 in London on her debut two years ago despite stopping at the side of the road to stretch out a hip injury as her rivals ran away from her.

Hassan won bronze in the 5, 000m and 10, 000m track events last summer in a similarly dramatic way, appearing to have lost her mind before battling past Assefa in a spectacular sprint finish.

Her personal best of 2: 13: 44, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, places her third place among all-time’s fastest female marathoners, and she mentioned earlier this year that only Chepngetich could surpass.

She continued, “In the marathon, you will push, whether you like it or not,” in a statement from Friday.

“You can push by running a marathon,” says the author.

Mahamed Mahamed and Philip Sesemann, the third and fifth-fastest British marathon runners ever, will hope to excel in Emile Cairess’ injury-affected absence.

The 27-year-old Mahamed, who finished fourth last year behind Cairess, said to BBC Sport, “You always want to push yourself to the next level.” A medal will arrive as soon as it is received. Anything can happen at that time.

Eilish McColgan makes her marathon debut in 2023 as a result of an injury.

The Scot, 34, is on the lookout for Steph Twell’s Scottish record, which is 2: 26: 40, while mother Liz’s personal best is 2: 26: 52.

The Scottish record is a little quicker than my mother’s record, according to McColgan, who also spoke to BBC Sport.

“I would love to be the best British home and be a little more competitive in one of the strongest female marathon running fields ever.”

Charlotte Purdue, Rose Harvey, and Phily Bowden, who have all previously run under 2:26, join her on the elite start line.