Sir Mo Farah will return to the TCS London Marathon this Sunday for the first time since he retired from athletics in 2024, taking up starter duties alongside Red Roses winger Ellie Kildunne as more than 59,000 runners prepare to run the 26.2 miles from Blackheath to The Mall.
That figure is a record for the event. Race organisers confirmed the 2026 edition will be the largest in the marathon’s 45-year history, edging past previous participation numbers and cementing London’s position as one of the biggest marathons on the global calendar.
Farah, widely regarded as the greatest endurance athlete Britain has produced, still holds the British marathon record. He made his marathon debut in London. Long before that, as a boy, he won the London Mini Marathon, which makes his return to the starter’s podium something of a full-circle moment.
“It’s an incredible honour to be the official starter of the 2026 TCS London Marathon. This event means so much to me as not only did I make my marathon debut here, but I also won the Mini Marathon when I was a young boy. Marathon Sunday is also such a special day for the city of London, it brings people together from all walks of life to achieve something extraordinary. I can’t wait to send thousands of runners off on their journey and feel that special London energy once again.”
Sir Mo Farah
Kildunne, who lifted the Rugby World Cup with England’s Red Roses, will stand beside him. She arrives fresh from England’s Six Nations fixture against Wales on Saturday and said sharing the podium with Farah was a particular thrill.
“It’s a huge honour to be part of this year’s TCS London Marathon as an official starter. The energy around the event is incredible, and to share that moment alongside Sir Mo Farah is really special. It’s an event that inspires people at every level, and I’m proud to help get such an amazing day underway.”
Ellie Kildunne
Stacked elite fields across all four races
Every defending champion from 2025 is back. Sebastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa, Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner are all lined up, and each of the four elite races carries a compelling storyline.
Assefa heads the women’s field after setting a women-only world record on her way to victory last year. Her rivals will need to run faster than anyone in history on a mixed-gender-free course just to stay with her. See our full women’s elite field preview for the contenders chasing her.
In the men’s race, Sawe faces a rematch with Jacob Kiplimo, the pair having finished first and second last year. Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder, has been steadily moving up in distance, and many in the sport expect the gap between them to narrow.
