Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee will not be racing the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26 — but he will still have a crucial role to play. The Londoner has been confirmed as a pacemaker for Emile Cairess, Britain’s top men’s hope and a legitimate contender to break the national marathon record.
It is a role reversal that both men will find familiar. Back in December 2025, it was Cairess who ran alongside Yee for 21 miles at the Valencia Marathon, helping him clock 2:06:38 — the second-fastest marathon time in British history. Now Yee is returning the favour.
“Emile is a great runner, and he was a massive help to me at last year’s Valencia Marathon, both during my training block beforehand and pacing on the day. My hope is that I can repay him for that help by supporting him as much as I can at this year’s TCS London Marathon and play some part in helping him achieve his ambitions.”
Alex Yee
The Record in Sight
Cairess, 27, holds a personal best of 2:06:46, making him the third-fastest British marathon runner of all time. The national record belongs to Sir Mo Farah, who ran 2:05:11 at the 2018 London Marathon — a mark that has stood for eight years.
With Yee’s 2:06:38 from Valencia sitting just eight seconds ahead of Cairess on the all-time British list, the margins at the top of British marathon running are razor thin. Cairess will need a near-perfect race to close that gap to Farah’s record, but on paper, it is achievable.
Fellow British contender Phil Sessemann — who also trained alongside Yee in the build-up to Valencia — adds further depth to the British challenge. Sessemann ran 61:21 at the Berlin Half Marathon recently, and his marathon best also puts him within striking distance of the national record.
Cairess’s credentials are well established. He finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games marathon, and at 28 he is entering the years when marathon runners typically hit their peak.
A Pacemaking Team Built for Speed
Yee is joined by a strong group of pacemakers assembled to help the front of the men’s race move at record pace. Oscar Kiplimo — older brother of Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder — is among those confirmed. Also in the group is Andrea Kiptoo, a training partner of defending London Marathon champion Sabastian Sawe, whose presence should help maintain a consistent, fast tempo through the early miles.
Alex Bell, fresh from winning the GetPRO Bath Half Marathon and named in the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Road Running Championships half marathon in Copenhagen in September, rounds out the confirmed pacemakers.
Yee Embraces the Support Role
For Yee, whose golden moment came in the triathlon at the Paris Games, London holds a personal significance that goes beyond sport. He made his full marathon debut on these same streets in 2025, finishing 14th overall and second British finisher in 2:11:08 at what was the largest London Marathon in history.
“It was an incredible experience to race the TCS London Marathon last year. As a Londoner, I thought I knew what to expect, but the crowds, the support and the atmosphere was more impressive than I ever imagined. Even though I won’t be doing the full 26.2 miles again this year, I’m looking forward to soaking up the experience again.”
Alex Yee
Elite Field Changes
The elite field has seen several late withdrawals ahead of race day. In the men’s race, Marc Scott and George James have both pulled out. On the women’s side, Abbie Donnelly, Charlotte Purdue, Natasha Wilson, and Spain’s Laura Luengo have all withdrawn.
The most high-profile exit remains Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands — the reigning Olympic marathon champion and 2023 London winner — who pulled out due to a treadmill injury. A new addition to the women’s field is Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain, whose personal best of 2:20:02 is a national record for the country.
The 2026 TCS London Marathon takes place on Sunday, April 26. Looking to race yourself? Check out our guide to the best marathons in the UK — and use our marathon pace calculator to nail your target splits.
