Sawe, Kiplimo Set for London Marathon Showdown as Assefa Set to Defend Title
The TCS London Marathon returns this Sunday with a stacked field led by defending champion Sabastian Sawe and rival Jacob Kiplimo.
Sawe dominated last year’s race in 2:02:27 and remains unbeaten across three marathons, all under 2:03:00. He expects another fast contest, noting it may take something close to Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:01:25 course record to win.
The course is one of the most beautiful and fastest in the world, Sawe said. With this field, it will take another fast time to win again.
Kiplimo returns stronger after finishing second on debut last year, later winning in Chicago and setting a Ugandan record of 2:02:23. His recent form includes a third straight world cross-country title and a pending world half marathon record.
The men’s field also includes Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, former winners Amos Kipruto and Geoffrey Kamworor, and debutant Yomif Kejelcha.
In the women’s race, defending champion Tigst Assefa leads the field after her 2:15:50 women-only world record last year.
“Winning last year was one of the proudest moments of my career and I want to repeat that again.”
Assefa faces competition from Joyciline Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri, both in strong form. With depth across both races, another record-chasing performance is expected in London.