Kenenisa Bekele is out of the 2025 London Marathon, but the race is still packed with elite talent and historic potential. From Kiplimo’s debut to epic women’s battles, here’s what to expect.
Ethiopian running icon Kenenisa Bekele has officially pulled out of the 2025 TCS London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, April 27.
After battling a string of minor but persistent injuries, the long-distance legend made the tough call to sit this one out, missing a much-anticipated return to the streets of London.
Bekele, who finished second in last year's race with a jaw-dropping 2:04:15 setting a world record for masters runners over 40 shared his disappointment.
“I was truly excited to come back and race in London again after such a strong performance last year,” Bekele said. “But these small injuries have disrupted my training just enough that I won’t be able to perform at the level I expect from myself. I had to make the hard choice to withdraw. I wish all the runners the best of luck on Sunday.”
His absence will be felt deeply, especially since fans were hoping for another thrilling face-off with fellow marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, a four-time London winner and the only man to ever run 26.2 miles in under two hours (in a controlled setting at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge).
While Bekele’s withdrawal is a blow, the men's elite field still promises fireworks.
Defending champion Alex Mutiso of Kenya is back, joined by Olympic champion Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia) and Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who burst onto the marathon scene with a stunning 2:02:05 in Valencia.
But it’s Jacob Kiplimo who has everyone's attention.
The Ugandan star recently smashed the world half marathon record in Barcelona with a 56:42 and will now make his highly-anticipated full marathon debut.
Could he challenge Kelvin Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35 or even flirt with the elusive sub-two-hour mark in an official race?
There’s also solid British representation despite the injury-related absence of last year’s third-place finisher Emile Cairess.
Olympic triathlon gold medalist Alex Yee will take on his first marathon, alongside fellow Brits Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann, both of whom competed at the Paris Olympics.
In the women’s race, injuries have sidelined World Record holder Ruth Chepngetich and reigning London champ Peres Jepchirchir.
Still, the battle at the front remains electric.
Two of the fastest women in marathon history Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia and Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands are ready to clash.
Assefa previously held the world record thanks to her 2:11:53 win in Berlin (2023), while Hassan stunned the world with her London debut win in 2023 and followed it with a 2:13:44 victory in Chicago, the third-fastest time ever.
Veteran Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya), the 2018 London champ and Olympic gold medalist on the track, makes a surprise return, while British fans will be eagerly watching Eilish McColgan’s long-awaited marathon debut.
The national record-holder over 10K and the half marathon is stepping up to 26.2 miles, following in the footsteps of her mother Liz, who won London herself back in the day.
As the 2025 London Marathon approaches, excitement is building. Despite some high-profile withdrawals, the race is still stacked with talent and we might just witness history.
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