Sabastian Sawe will return to the TCS London Marathon this spring with a clear sense of what it may take to defend his title.
After winning last year’s race in 2:02:27, the second-fastest time ever run in London, the Kenyan believes the 2026 men’s race could demand something even faster. With an elite field packed with Olympic champions, world record holders, and proven major-marathon winners, Sawe says the margin for error will be slim.
“The TCS London Marathon course is one of the most beautiful and fastest courses in the world,” Sawe said. “I am sure with the quality of athletes coming to London it will take another fast time to win again, perhaps the type of effort the great Kelvin Kiptum put in when he set the course record in 2023.”
A Champion Who Knows the Course
Sawe’s breakthrough victory in London last year came in his debut at the race. He closed with a remarkable 60:57 second half, a negative split rarely seen at the front of a major marathon. Only Kelvin Kiptum, who ran 2:01:25 on the same course in 2023, has ever gone faster in London.
Kiptum’s course record still stands, alongside his world record of 2:00:35, and Sawe has suggested that mark could be under threat if the race unfolds aggressively.
“It was one of the proudest moments of my life to cross the line as champion,” Sawe said. “I know now a little bit more about what I can expect.”
A Field Built to Push the Pace
Waiting for Sawe in London will be one of the strongest men’s fields assembled anywhere in recent years.
Jacob Kiplimo, runner-up in London last year, returns after a standout winter. The Ugandan recently claimed his third senior world cross country title in Tallahassee and holds the world half-marathon record at 56:42. He also has a Chicago Marathon victory to his name.
Joshua Cheptegei, another Ugandan star, brings unmatched track credentials. He is the reigning Olympic 10,000m champion and the world record holder at both 5,000m and 10,000m. London will mark one of his highest-profile marathon appearances to date.
Tamirat Tola, the reigning Olympic marathon champion, arrives after winning the Doha Marathon in 2:05:40. Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, the ninth-fastest man in history at 2:02:38, adds further depth near the front.
Debuts and Dangerous Outsiders
Several athletes could reshape the race if the pace lifts early.
Yomif Kejelcha will make his marathon debut in London after a decorated track career that includes a silver medal in the 10,000m at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. Fellow Ethiopian Hagos Gebrhiwet is also set for his first marathon.
Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London Marathon champion, returns with experience and a proven ability to handle the course. Germany’s Amanal Petros, who won silver at the World Championships marathon by just 0.03 seconds, leads the European contingent alongside Britain’s Emile Cairess.
Organizers Expect Something Special
London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher said Sawe’s return adds to a growing sense that the men’s race could once again flirt with history.
“Sabastian Sawe showed the world at last year’s TCS London Marathon that he is a man that could re-write the marathon record books,” Brasher said. “To run 2:02:27 with a negative split of 60:57 showed the huge potential he has, and we are looking forward to supporting Sabastian run as fast as possible in London on Sunday 26 April.”
Brasher added that the men’s race complements a women’s field that includes Tigist Assefa, Sifan Hassan and Peres Jepchirchir, as well as high-profile battles in the wheelchair events.
A Loaded Start Line
The elite men’s entry list features athletes with personal bests clustered around the 2:02–2:04 range, creating the conditions for a fast, tactical race or an all-out assault on the clock.
Whether Sawe can repeat his debut performance, or whether one of his challengers forces the pace beyond Kiptum’s mark, will be one of the central storylines when London takes center stage again in April.
2026 London Marathon Men’s Elite Field
Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 2:02:05
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA) 2:02:23
Deresa Geleta (ETH) 2:02:38
Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13
Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:03:39
Amanal Petros (GER) 2:04:03
Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN) 2:04:23
Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 2:04:52
Shunya Kikuchi (JPN) 2:06:06
Emile Cairess (GBR) 2:06:46
Mahamed Mahamed (GBR) 2:07:05
Philip Sesemann (GBR) 2:07:10
Hassan Chahdi (FRA) 2:07:30
Adam Lipschitz (RSA) 2:08:54
Patrick Dever (GBR) 2:08:58
Peter Lynch (IRL) 2:09:36
Tim Vincent (AUS) 2:09:40
Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR) 2:09:50
Tewelde Menges (GBR) 2:09:58
George James (GBR) 2:10:10
Liam Boudin (AUS) 2:10:28
Jake Smith (GBR) 2:11:00
Marc Scott (GBR) 2:11:19
Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) debut
Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) debut
