Assefa heads women’s entrants at London Marathon

World record holder Tigst Assefa heads a high-class field in the women’s elite race at the London Marathon.

The Ethiopian’s stunning two hours, 11 minutes and 53 seconds at the 2023 Berlin Marathon took more than two minutes off the previous record of 2:14.04 set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei.

With Kosgei and fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich also running, three of the four fastest women in history will compete in London.

The race takes place on 21 April.

The women’s world record stands at 2:17:01 and was set by another Kenyan, Mary Keitany, at the 2017 London Marathon.

That record could fall with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya and Assefa’s fellow Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw, winner in London in 2022, also among the group capable of chasing it down.

“We are in a golden age of women’s marathon running,” Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon, said.

“Despite this, the women’s-only world record of 2:17:01, set by the great Mary Keitany here at the London Marathon in 2017, has amazingly stayed intact.

“However, I suspect that with Tigst Assefa, Brigid Kosgei and the likes of Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir and Yalemzerf Yehualaw in the field and where a total of 10 women have run under two hours 17 minutes and 30 seconds, Keitany’s world record is going to be under serious threat at the 2024 London Marathon.”

New York City Marathon champion Tamirat Tola headlines the men’s field.

The Ethiopian will be up against fellow countryman Mosinet Geremew, the seventh fastest man in history, and Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who finished second at the 2023 Valencia Marathon.

Emile Cairess is the leading Briton in the men’s field. He became the third-fastest Briton in history when he ran 2:08:07 at last year’s London Marathon.

Marc Scott, bronze medallist over 3000m at 2022 World Indoor Championships, will make his marathon debut.