Sifan Hassan has officially withdrawn from the 2026 TCS London Marathon, dealing a significant blow to one of the most anticipated storylines ahead of the race on Sunday, 26 April. The reigning Olympic marathon champion and 2023 London winner confirmed her decision after struggling with an Achilles injury that has disrupted her preparations in recent weeks.
The Dutch star reportedly picked up the injury about six weeks ago following an incident while training on a treadmill. Initially believed to be minor, the issue worsened as her training intensified.
Despite attempting to continue her build-up, Hassan was unable to reach the performance level required to compete at an elite standard in one of the world’s most competitive marathons.
For Sifan Hassan, the decision to pull out was not taken lightly. London holds special significance in her career, as it was the venue where she claimed her first-ever marathon victory in 2023. However, she emphasized that competing at the highest level demands peak physical condition, something she currently cannot ապահով due to the lingering injury. Prioritizing long-term health and recovery, she opted to step back rather than risk further damage.
Her withdrawal comes after an intense 2025 campaign in which she competed in three Abbott World Marathon Majors—London, Sydney, and New York—highlighting the heavy workload she has carried in recent seasons. That demanding schedule likely contributed to the need for caution now, as she looks to extend her career at the highest level.
In her statement, Sifan Hassan expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the future. She noted her love for the London Marathon and her desire to return in stronger condition for future editions. Her absence reshapes the women’s elite race, removing one of its most formidable contenders and leaving the field wide open.
There have also been notable withdrawals in the wheelchair races. American star Susannah Scaroni, who dominated the Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit last year, will miss the event. She is joined on the sidelines by fellow American Daniel Romanchuk, the 2019 London Marathon champion, as well as Britain’s Nathan Maguire, all due to injury concerns.
Despite these withdrawals, the 2026 TCS London Marathon still boasts a strong and competitive elite field across both the men’s and women’s races.
Elite Women
Tigst Assefa (ETH, PB 2:11:53)
Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN, 2:14:00)
Peres Jepchirchir (KEN, 2:14:43)
Hellen Obiri (KEN, 2:17:41)
Degitu Azimeraw (ETH, 2:17:58)
Catherine Reline Amanang’ole (KEN, 2:20:34)
Balemelay Shumet (ETH, 2:21:59)
Charlotte Purdue (GBR, 2:22:17)
Laura Luengo (ESP, 2:22:31)
Rose Harvey (GBR, 2:23:21)
Abbie Donnelly (GBR, 2:24:11)
Florencia Borelli (ARG, 2:24:18)
Eilish McColgan (GBR, 2:24:25)
Jessica Warner-Judd (GBR, 2:24:45)
Fadouwa Ledhem (FRA, 2:25:50)
Marta Galimany (ESP, 2:26:14)
Lucy Reid (GBR, 2:26:35)
Julia Paternain (URU, 2:27:09)
Louise Small (GBR, 2:27:48)
Alice Wright (GBR, 2:28:48)
Verity Hopkins (GBR, 2:31:19)
Elite Men
Sabastian Sawe (KEN, PB 2:02:05)
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA, 2:02:23)
Deresa Geleta (ETH, 2:02:38)
Amos Kipruto (KEN, 2:03:13)
Tamirat Tola (ETH, 2:03:39)
Amanal Petros (GER, 2:04:03)
Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN, 2:04:23)
Joshua Cheptegei (UGA, 2:04:52)
Shunya Kikuchi (JPN, 2:06:06)
Emile Cairess (GBR, 2:06:46)
Mahamed Mahamed (GBR, 2:07:05)
Philip Sesemann (GBR, 2:07:10)
Hassan Chahdi (FRA, 2:07:30)
Adam Lipschitz (RSA, 2:08:54)
Patrick Dever (GBR, 2:08:58)
Peter Lynch (IRL, 2:09:36)
Tim Vincent (AUS, 2:09:40)
Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR, 2:09:50)
Tewelde Menges (GBR, 2:09:58)
George James (GBR, 2:10:10)
Liam Boudin (AUS, 2:10:28)
Jake Smith (GBR, 2:11:00)
Marc Scott (GBR, 2:11:19)
Jack Rowe (GBR, 2:12:31)
Andrew Fyfe (GBR, 2:13:20)
Alex Milne (GBR, 2:14:03)
Peter Le Grice (GBR, 2:14:45)
Sean Hogan (GBR, 2:14:51)
Jake Barraclough (GBR, 2:14:55)
Christopher Thomas (GBR, 2:14:55)
Chris Perry (GBR, 2:14:57)
David Bishop (GBR, 2:15:16)
Charlie Sandison (GBR, 2:15:38)
William Mycroft (GBR, 2:15:54)
Yomif Kejelcha (ETH, Debut)
Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH, Debut)
Isaia Kipkoech Lasoi (KEN, Debut)
Alfie Manthorpe (GBR, Debut)
With Hassan out, attention will now shift to other top contenders as the race promises high-quality competition despite the absence of one of its biggest stars.
