The 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26 will feature four of the six fastest women in marathon history, creating what may be the deepest women's marathon field ever assembled. Following Sifan Hassan's withdrawal due to an Achilles injury, the race has recalibrated around a nucleus of champions who have redefined the boundaries of women's distance running.
Defending champion Tigst Assefa leads the field. The Ethiopian, who holds the women's-only world record of 2:15:50, won London last year in dominant fashion and has indicated she is targeting a course record in her return. She will face Olympic silver medallist Peres Jepchirchir, who won the 2024 Paris Olympic marathon and the 2025 New York City Marathon, and Joyciline Jepkosgei, who arrives in London fresh from running a personal best of 2:14:00 at the 2025 Valencia Marathon, a time that makes her the third-fastest woman in history.
Perhaps the most intriguing entrant is Hellen Obiri. The Kenyan has won both the Boston and New York City marathons twice each but has never raced London, preferring the tactical demands of those hillier, more unpredictable courses. Now, at 36, she comes to the flat, fast London course for the first time, potentially giving her the conditions to test her absolute speed over 42.195 kilometres.
The British contingent adds a compelling domestic storyline. Emile Cairess is targeting Sir Mo Farah's British marathon record in the men's race, while five of the ten fastest British women marathoners of all time will race on the women's side, led by Eilish McColgan and Jess Warner-Judd. Race organisers believe that both the men's and women's course records could fall if conditions cooperate, making this year's London Marathon one of the most anticipated road races of the entire 2026 season.