World record holder Ruth Chepng'etich joins London Marathon elite field
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.01.25. | 15:47
Adding to the competitive field will be Hellen Obiri—the only woman in history to have won world titles indoors, outdoors, and in cross country
World Marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich is set to compete in the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday, April 27, joining one of the most competitive elite fields in the event's history.
Chepngetich, 30, stunned the world in October 2024 with a historic run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, where she became the fastest woman of all time over the marathon distance.
Her record-breaking time of 2:09:56 shattered the previous world record of 2:11:53 set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon by nearly two minutes.
Chepngetich’s performance also made her the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier, a once-mythical milestone in women’s marathon running.
Known for her aggressive and fearless running style, Chepngetich has dominated Chicago’s marathon scene, claiming victory in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Despite her triumphs, however, she has yet to conquer the streets of London. In 2020, she finished third in a pandemic-affected, elite-only London Marathon and placed a disappointing ninth in 2024. Now, Chepngetich is eyeing redemption at The Mall.
The 2025 London Marathon promises to be a thrilling clash of titans, with Chepngetich facing off against reigning Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and defending London Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir.
Hassan, who clocked 2:13:44 to win the 2023 Chicago Marathon, is ranked third on the all-time marathon list and has previously outpaced Chepngetich in Chicago.
Jepchirchir, on the other hand, has an impressive résumé that includes victories at the 2021 New York City Marathon, the 2022 Boston Marathon, and the Tokyo Olympic marathon. She will be looking to break the women's-only marathon world record of 2:16:16, set in London last year.
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Both Jepchirchir and Hassan have gotten the better of Chepngetich in past World Marathon Majors. Hassan defeated her at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, while Jepchirchir edged her in London last year during her record-breaking run.
Yet, Chepngetich remains undeterred, viewing the star-studded competition as an opportunity to push the limits of marathon running.
“With such a strong field, anything can happen,” she said.
Adding to the competitive field will be Hellen Obiri—the only woman in history to have won world titles indoors, outdoors, and in cross country. Obiri, who recently moved to train in Kenya, is aiming to become the first woman to achieve three consecutive Boston Marathon wins since Fatuma Roba accomplished the feat in 1999.
Other Kenyans in the field include two-time Boston winner Edna Kiplagat, 2022 New York Marathon winner Sharon Lokedi, Hamburg Marathon champion Irene Cheptai, and 2012 Boston Marathon winner Sharon Cherop.
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