Reigning champion Sabastian Sawe is bracing for one of the toughest title defences in recent TCS London Marathon history after organisers unveiled a formidable elite field for the 26 April showdown.
Sawe will return to the British capital as the man to beat, but standing in his way are some of the biggest names in global distance running, including Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, world record-holder Joshua Cheptegei, Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and Ethiopian speedster Yomif Kejelcha.
Given the depth and quality of the field announced on Thursday (29), the Kenyan believes defending his crown may require nothing short of a historic run. Sawe has already hinted that Kelvin Kiptum’s course record of 2:01:25, set in 2023, could come under serious threat.
Sawe stamped his authority on the London Marathon last year with a commanding victory in 2:02:27, the second-fastest time in the event’s history and just 22 seconds shy of his personal best of 2:02:05 set in Valencia in 2024.
Kiplimo, who finished second behind Sawe on his marathon debut in London, will also arrive in top form. The Ugandan set a national record of 2:03:37 in that race before lowering it to 2:02:23 when he won the Chicago Marathon in October. More recently, he underlined his versatility by clinching a third successive world cross-country title in Tallahassee.
Cheptegei, the world record-holder over 5000m and 10,000m, continues his transition to the marathon and will be back over 42.195km following his personal best of 2:04:52 in Amsterdam last October. Ethiopia’s Tola, the reigning Olympic marathon champion, is another major contender after his recent victory in Doha.
The Ethiopian challenge is further bolstered by the marathon debuts of Kejelcha, a two-time world 10,000m silver medallist, and Hagos Gebrhiwet, an Olympic and world 5000m medallist. Kenya’s 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, two-time New York City Marathon winner Geoffrey Kamworor and Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, the ninth-fastest man in history over the distance, add even more firepower to an already stacked field.
Europe will be led by Germany’s world marathon silver medallist Amanal Petros, alongside Great Britain’s Emile Cairess, ensuring strong continental representation in the elite race.
It is this extraordinary line-up that has convinced Sawe that extraordinary running will be required to retain his title.
“The TCS London Marathon course is one of the most beautiful and fastest courses in the world,” said Sawe.
“It was my first time running in London last year and one of the proudest moments of my life to cross the line as champion. Coming back, I now know a little bit more about what to expect. With the quality of athletes coming to London, it will take another very fast time to win, perhaps the type of effort the great Kelvin Kiptum put in when he set the course record.”
Sawe’s confidence is backed by an impressive unbeaten record over the marathon distance. Since his breakthrough, he has claimed victories in Valencia (2024), London (2025) and Berlin (2025), establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers on the circuit.
London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher believes fans could be on the brink of witnessing something special once again.
“Sabastian Sawe showed the world last year that he is a man who could re-write the marathon record books,” said Brasher.
“Running 2:02:27 with a negative split of 60:57 for the second half demonstrated his huge potential. We are thrilled to welcome him back and excited by the incredible depth and storylines across all our elite races at the 2026 TCS London Marathon.”
