London Marathon 2026: Today’s Elite Field, Weather and What Matters
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At 9:40 AM local time, the shot is fired in Blackheath. Sebastian Sawe defends his title, Tigst Assefa aims to hold her world record, and Amanal Petros has the German record of 2:04:03 in his sights. The TCS London Marathon 2026 delivers one of the strongest fields in marathon history.
The Men’s Field: Sawe Defends Title Against Five World-Class Opponents
Sebastian Sawe arrived in London in 2025 and obliterated the field with a time of 2:02:27. A year later, the stakes are even higher. The Kenyan has lowered his personal best to 2:02:05 and must fend off five marathon grandees. Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world record holder, is making his marathon debut in London. Joshua Cheptegei, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist over 10,000 meters, is seeking his next milestone. Tamirat Tola brings experience and a world championship title, while Yomif Kejelcha is also making her marathon debut. The field is so strong that multiple sub-2:04 times are within reach. The question is not whether it will be fast, but how fast.
The Women’s Field: Four of the Six Fastest Women of All Time Take the Stage
Tigst Assefa returns as the defending champion and world record holder with a time of 2:11:53, set in London in 2025. The Ethiopian faces Sifan Hassan, the 2024 Olympic marathon champion who seamlessly transitions between track and road racing. Completing the trio is Peres Jepchirchir, a world champion and multiple major winner. Behind them, Joyciline Jepkosgei, who set a new benchmark in Valencia in 2025 with a time of 2:14:00, awaits. Four of the six fastest women in history are running today in London. To hold the world record, runners must maintain a 2:11-minute pace – and the field demands exactly that.
“Four of the six fastest women of all time are running the 2026 London Marathon.”
– London Marathon Events, official press release (April 2026)
German Perspective: Petros Chases His Own Record
Amanal Petros came within 2:04:03 in Berlin in 2025, holding the German record. In London, he aims to break it. The field is challenging, but this is not his race – Petros needs fast rabbits, a smooth tempo, and ideally no abrupt pace changes. The silver medalist from the 2024 World Championships (marathon) did not start in Boston last week – London is his peak of the season.
On the British side, Emile Cairess is also attempting to break a record. Having finished fourth in the 2024 London Marathon and competed for medals in the Paris Olympics, he is now targeting the national best mark.
Weather, Start Time, Broadcast
The weather forecast for London predicts temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius in the morning, with light wind from the west and high clouds. Ideal marathon conditions – cool enough to avoid heat problems, not so cold that muscles stiffen. The elite women start at 9:10 AM local time, the elite men at 9:40 AM. In German time, this means the men start at 10:40 AM CEST.
Live broadcast is available on the BBC, with streaming options in Germany through various providers. For the finish line on The Mall, the first men are expected around 11:40 AM local time – just before 1 PM German time. For those joining in: endurance training and a keen eye for splits will be crucial. A 5K split around 14:30 will be world record pace, anything above that will still be a very fast London race.
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Editor Evernine Media / IBS Publishing ››
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