Ugandan long-distance runner Stella Chesang is set to take part in the 2025 London Marathon, joining a competitive elite women’s field that includes Olympic and world medalists, following the withdrawal of two top Kenyan athletes.
Chesang, who has represented Uganda at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, remains one of East Africa’s prominent distance runners.
She will line up alongside Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Megertu Alemu, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei and Vivian Cheruiyot, as well as Dutch star Sifan Hassan in what promises to be a high-calibre race.
The women’s field was reshuffled after Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir pulled out.
Chepngetich, the 2024 Chicago Marathon winner and world record holder, cited lack of mental and physical readiness, saying she hoped to return in 2026. Jepchirchir, who won last year’s London Marathon in 2:16:16, withdrew due to an ankle injury.
Their absence has opened opportunities for other elite runners like Chesang to make a significant impact on the world stage.
Vivian Cheruiyot, also from Kenya, has been added to the line-up. The 2018 London Marathon winner, now 41, brings experience to the field and will be making her fourth appearance at the race.
The full start list includes Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia), Sifan Hassan (Netherlands), Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya), Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia), Stella Chesang (Uganda), Vivian Cheruiyot (Kenya), Haven Hailu Desse (Ethiopia), Susanna Sullivan (USA), Charlotte Purdue (GB), Sofiia Yaremchuk (Italy), Rose Harvey (GB), Phily Bowden (GB), Molly Bookmyer (USA), Eilish McColgan (GB), and Holly Archer (GB).
