Fresh off shattering the half marathon world record, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo is set to face a formidable challenge when he makes his full marathon debut at the TCS London Marathon on April 27.
The two-time world cross-country champion will be up against some of the greatest names in distance running, including Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, and Alexander Mutiso Munyao, in what has been hailed as one of the strongest fields in the race’s history.
Kiplimo’s transition to the marathon has been highly anticipated, given his dominance in the half marathon, where he has already proven his endurance and speed.
His record-breaking performance over 21.1km showcased his ability to sustain a blistering pace, but the full 42.195km presents a new challenge—one that will test his stamina, race strategy, and ability to handle the demands of the marathon distance.
Standing in his way is Eliud Kipchoge, the four-time London Marathon champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, who returns to the event for the first time since 2020.
Kipchoge remains the second-fastest man in history over the marathon distance with a personal best of 2:01:09, set in Berlin in 2022.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, the third-fastest marathoner ever, will also be in the mix, alongside defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao and world half marathon champion Sabastian Sawe, who recently clocked a stunning 2:02:05 in Valencia.
For Kiplimo, the London Marathon will be a chance to test himself against the best and prove he can translate his success from shorter distances to the marathon.
If his half marathon performances are anything to go by, he could be a major contender. However, the transition to 42km is not always smooth, and he will need to manage his energy efficiently against seasoned marathon specialists.
Race organizers have billed this as the “greatest elite field in the history of the London Marathon”, with the competition expected to be fierce from the start.
With Kipchoge chasing another title, Bekele looking to rekindle his best form, and Kiplimo seeking a statement debut, the 2025 London Marathon is shaping up to be an unmissable showdown.
