World marathon record holder Ruth Chepng'etich and women-only world record holder and defending champion Peres Jepchirchir have withdrawn from next Sunday’s London Marathon, dealing a major blow to what had been billed as a historic showdown in the British capital.
The duo were expected to headline a stacked elite women’s field that includes Ethiopia’s former world record holder Tigst Assefa, Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands and 2021 London winner Joyciline Jepkosgei.
Chepngetich, who etched her name into the history books with a blistering 2:09:56 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon to become the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier, announced her withdrawal on Friday.
“I’m not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best in London, and I am therefore withdrawing. I am very sad to miss the race, and I hope to be back next year," Chepng'etich said
Jepchirchir, meanwhile, revealed she has been nursing an ankle injury that has ruled her out of her title defence.
“Winning last year’s TCS London Marathon was one of the highlights of my career, and I was very much looking forward to returning this year to defend my title."
"Unfortunately, my injury has made this impossible, but I am focused on getting healthy again and hope to return to London again in the future when I’m fully fit," Jepchirchir said.
Jepchirchir triumphed in London last year in record-breaking fashion, clocking 2:16:16 to set a new women s-only world record.
Assefa (2:16:23) and Jepkosgei (2:16:24) completed the podium in what was a tightly contested race.
In a silver lining for Kenyan fans, 2018 champion Vivian Cheruiyot has been added to the elite field, marking her return to London for the first time in five years.
Cheruiyot, the 2016 Olympic 5,000m gold medallist and four-time world champion on the track, has three London Marathon appearances under her belt—winning in 2018 (2:18:31) and finishing second in 2019 (2:20:14) behind Brigid Kosgei (2:18:20).
She did not finish the 2020 edition due to harsh weather conditions around St James's Park.
Cheruiyot, however, made a solid comeback in New York last year, placing third in 2:25:21 behind Sheila Chepkirui (2:24:35) and Hellen Obiri (2:24:49).
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the London Marathon, acknowledged the impact of the withdrawals.
“It is a great shame that Ruth and Peres, two of the greatest women marathon runners in history, will not be at this year’s TCS London Marathon. We wish them both well and hope to welcome them back to London next year."
With the addition of Cheruiyot, however, the women's race is set for an intense rivalry.
"Meantime, we’re delighted that our 2018 champion Vivian Cheruiyot will be coming to London as a late addition to the elite field.”
