With the Olympic Games now in full swing, the marathon, the final event in the athletics program, is quickly approaching. Here are the runners we’ll be keeping our eyes on on the challenging and hilly Paris Olympic marathon course.
Sifan Hassan
NLD | 5,000m, 10,000m, Marathon
Bio: Sifan Hassan has been one of the most talked about athletes coming into these Olympics in Paris. At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Hassan competed in an unprecedented triple, including the 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m. This year, she’s taking on a different triple, running the 5,000m, the 10,000m, and the marathon The Dutch star has been at the top of her game for a number of years, but the challenge she’s taking on in Paris this year is unheard of.
What You Should Know: Hassan’s Olympic achievements are highlighted by her historic performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and bronze in the 1,500m. Hassan also holds the European records for the 1,500m (3:51.95), mile (4:12.33), and 10,000m (29:06.82), along with world records in the mile and the one-hour run. Her dominance extends to the World Championships, where she has claimed multiple titles, and in the marathon, where she won her first two marathons ever, the 2023 London Marathon and the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Watch For This: Sifan Hassan doesn’t hold back when racing. She’s aggressive and fearless. However, competing three distance events could take a toll. The marathon is her last race, so it will be the true test of how she’s able to handle the fatigue.
Our Predictions: Medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m, but has too much fatigue for the marathon.
What You Should Know: Hassan’s Olympic achievements are highlighted by her historic performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and bronze in the 1,500m. Hassan also holds the European records for the 1,500m (3:51.95), mile (4:12.33), and 10,000m (29:06.82), along with world records in the mile and the one-hour run. Her dominance extends to the World Championships, where she has claimed multiple titles, and in the marathon, where she won her first two marathons ever, the 2023 London Marathon and the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Watch For This: Sifan Hassan doesn’t hold back when racing. She’s aggressive and fearless. However, competing three distance events could take a toll. The marathon is her last race, so it will be the true test of how she’s able to handle the fatigue.
Our Predictions: Medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m, but has too much fatigue for the marathon.
Tigst Assefa
ETH | Marathon
Bio: Initially a middle-distance runner, specializing in the 800 meters, Assefa transitioned to long-distance running and has quickly become one of the most promising marathoners in the world. Her background in middle-distance events has provided her with a unique blend of speed and endurance, which she has successfully applied to the marathon distance.
What You Should Know: Before transitioning to the marathon, Tigst Assefa competed in the 800 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her shift to long-distance running has seen her quickly rise through the ranks, culminating in her record-breaking performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. At the 2023 Berlin Marathon, Assefa made history by setting a new women’s world record with an astonishing time of 2:11:53. Assefa’s world record run in Berlin has set high expectations for her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she will be a favorite to claim gold.
Watch For This: Assefa has performed well when she’s had pacers around her and she’s by herself. Being so new to the marathon, she hasn’t often been forced to truly race and play the tactical game of the marathon. The Olympic Games will not featuer pacers and will feature the fastest women in the world, so watch to see if she’s able to play the marathon mind games.
Our Predictions: Places in the top five. Relies heavily on her speed and fitness, but loses the race due to inexperience.
What You Should Know: Before transitioning to the marathon, Tigst Assefa competed in the 800 meters at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her shift to long-distance running has seen her quickly rise through the ranks, culminating in her record-breaking performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon. At the 2023 Berlin Marathon, Assefa made history by setting a new women’s world record with an astonishing time of 2:11:53. Assefa’s world record run in Berlin has set high expectations for her performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she will be a favorite to claim gold.
Watch For This: Assefa has performed well when she’s had pacers around her and she’s by herself. Being so new to the marathon, she hasn’t often been forced to truly race and play the tactical game of the marathon. The Olympic Games will not featuer pacers and will feature the fastest women in the world, so watch to see if she’s able to play the marathon mind games.
Our Predictions: Places in the top five. Relies heavily on her speed and fitness, but loses the race due to inexperience.
Kenenisa Bekele
ETH | Marathon
Bio: Widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time, Kenenisa Bekele has had an illustrious career spanning over two decades, adding numerous world records, Olympic medals, and World Championship titles to his resume throughout. He’s specialized in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and marathon, demonstrating exceptional versatility over the 20-year span of his career. Bekele will come to the Olympic Games as one of the veterans, having already attended in 2004, 2008, and 2012, returning for the first time in 12 years.
What You Should Know: Bekele continues to compete at the highest level, even as he is in his 40s. This year, he finished second in the London Marathon with a time of 2:04:15, just seconds shy of first place. This performance reaffirmed Bekele’s status as a top marathoner and helped him secure his spot on his first Olympic team in 12 years. His success in London has set the stage for a highly anticipated appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Watch For This: Throughout his career, and as he has gained more experience, Bekele has often displayed a tactical approach. His years of wisdom and strategic acumen make him a master of pacing, allowing him to conserve energy for decisive moves in the latter stages of a race. Keep an eye for Bekele’s ability to judge the race dynamics and for him to sit near the front of the race, but not on the front.
Our Predictions: Beats Kipchoge, places in the top eight.
What You Should Know: Bekele continues to compete at the highest level, even as he is in his 40s. This year, he finished second in the London Marathon with a time of 2:04:15, just seconds shy of first place. This performance reaffirmed Bekele’s status as a top marathoner and helped him secure his spot on his first Olympic team in 12 years. His success in London has set the stage for a highly anticipated appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Watch For This: Throughout his career, and as he has gained more experience, Bekele has often displayed a tactical approach. His years of wisdom and strategic acumen make him a master of pacing, allowing him to conserve energy for decisive moves in the latter stages of a race. Keep an eye for Bekele’s ability to judge the race dynamics and for him to sit near the front of the race, but not on the front.
Our Predictions: Beats Kipchoge, places in the top eight.
Emile Cairess
GBR | Marathon
Bio: Cairess has made significant strides in the world of long-distance running, emerging as one of the top British talents in recent years. His first breakthrough came with his victory and record-setting performance at the Valencia 10K in 2023, where he tied Mo Farah’s longstanding British record over 10K on the road, running 27:44. Since then, he’s continued to clock personal best and even broke Richard Nerurkar’s 30-year European 10-mile record, clocking 45:57.
What You Should Know: Although young, just 26 years of age, Cairess has already showed that he can hang with the best. The young Brit had a breakthrough year in 2023 where he earned silver at the European Cross Country Championships, and followed that up with a 6th place at the 2023 London Marathon against the best in the world. Cairess then had a breakthrough moment at the 2024 London Marathon, earning the bronze medal in a personal best time of 2:06:46.
Watch For This: This will be the biggest race of Cairess’s life, so he’ll undoubtedly be nervous. He’s also coming in as an underdog against the biggest names in the world. This could provide an opportunity for him to really come from underneath and surprise his competitors and viewers.
Our Prediction: Not a medal contender, but runs a strong race and makes GB proud.
What You Should Know: Although young, just 26 years of age, Cairess has already showed that he can hang with the best. The young Brit had a breakthrough year in 2023 where he earned silver at the European Cross Country Championships, and followed that up with a 6th place at the 2023 London Marathon against the best in the world. Cairess then had a breakthrough moment at the 2024 London Marathon, earning the bronze medal in a personal best time of 2:06:46.
Watch For This: This will be the biggest race of Cairess’s life, so he’ll undoubtedly be nervous. He’s also coming in as an underdog against the biggest names in the world. This could provide an opportunity for him to really come from underneath and surprise his competitors and viewers.
Our Prediction: Not a medal contender, but runs a strong race and makes GB proud.
Peres Jepchirchir
KEN | Marathon
Bio: Peres Jepchirchir is a name you won’t want to forget in the women’s marathon. The 30-year-old Kenyan is the reigning Olympic Champion from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is returning to Paris to defend her title. Jepchirchir is also the current women’s-only marathon world record holder, which she achieved after running 2:16:16 at the 2024 London Marathon. Alongside being a force in the marathon, Jepchirchir is also the reigning World Champion in the half marathon, meaning she’s got the speed and the endurance.
What You Should Know: Jepchirchir is an experienced racer and has won in all different kinds of recing envrionemtns and profiles. She’s won on the flats of Valencia to the hills of Boston. Coming in as the defending Olympic champion will certainly put her in the spotlight, but that’s something she’s used to and knows how to deal with. Jepchirchir will certainly be a favorite for the top spot of the podium in this year’s race.
Watch For This: Jepchirchir may be one of the smartest racers you’ll ever watch. She knows how to play the marathon mind games, choosing her moments wisely and has a good poker face on her. She’s not afraid to let other runners in the front pack battle it out and expend their energy as she just quietly sits in, waiting to make her move.
Our Prediction: Tough day for the Kenyan, settles for silver and doesn’t defend her Olympic title.
What You Should Know: Jepchirchir is an experienced racer and has won in all different kinds of recing envrionemtns and profiles. She’s won on the flats of Valencia to the hills of Boston. Coming in as the defending Olympic champion will certainly put her in the spotlight, but that’s something she’s used to and knows how to deal with. Jepchirchir will certainly be a favorite for the top spot of the podium in this year’s race.
Watch For This: Jepchirchir may be one of the smartest racers you’ll ever watch. She knows how to play the marathon mind games, choosing her moments wisely and has a good poker face on her. She’s not afraid to let other runners in the front pack battle it out and expend their energy as she just quietly sits in, waiting to make her move.
Our Prediction: Tough day for the Kenyan, settles for silver and doesn’t defend her Olympic title.
Eliud Kipchoge
KEN | Marathon
Bio: For years, Eliud Kipchoge has been at the top of the sport. He’s considered by many to be the GOAT and is still going strong despite nearing his 40s. The 39-year-old has won the last two Olympic marathons, and is coming to Paris with eyes on a historic three-peat. Kipchoge has also claimed four of six Marathon Majors, including Berlin (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023), London (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019), Chicago (2014), and Tokyo (2021). Despite all of these achievements, he is most well known for running the first-ever sub-two hour marathon. Although the record was not official, it drew eyes from fans around the world.
What You Should Know: Although Kipchoge is coming in as the two-time defending champion, he’s not in the form he’s carried in his younger years. This year, at the Tokyo Marathon, the former world record holder struggled, and ended up finishing in 10th place. Additionally, he’s become known for struggling on challenging, hilly courses. And the course at the Paris Olympics is anything but easy.
Watch For This: Kipchoge will no doubt have a target on his back, however, he won’t be looking to make any surges throughout most of the race. He’ll be keen to sit in and hope that the pace doesn’t light up too much during the hilly section of the race.
Our Predictions: The GOAT does not get his historic three-peat. Struggles on the hilly course and lands just outside the top ten.
What You Should Know: Although Kipchoge is coming in as the two-time defending champion, he’s not in the form he’s carried in his younger years. This year, at the Tokyo Marathon, the former world record holder struggled, and ended up finishing in 10th place. Additionally, he’s become known for struggling on challenging, hilly courses. And the course at the Paris Olympics is anything but easy.
Watch For This: Kipchoge will no doubt have a target on his back, however, he won’t be looking to make any surges throughout most of the race. He’ll be keen to sit in and hope that the pace doesn’t light up too much during the hilly section of the race.
Our Predictions: The GOAT does not get his historic three-peat. Struggles on the hilly course and lands just outside the top ten.
Leonard Korir
USA | Marathon
Bio: Originally from Iten, Kenya, Korir hadn’t discovered running until the late age of 20 at Tambach Teachers Training College. After success running in Kenya, he secured a scholarship to an American college, Iona College, where he began to find success. Korir eventually turned professional and stayed in the USA, eventually gaining eligibility to represent the country in May 2016.
What You Should Know: Korir had a hard time getting his spot in the Olympics. Typically, the top three athletes from the US Olympic Team Trials qualify to the Olympics, which Korir placed third. However, because the US had only two runners run the auto-qualifying time, Korir hadn’t automatically gotten his spot. Rather, he had to rely on the World Athletics Rankings to earn his spot. However, a last-minute decision by World Athletics left any athlete hoping to make it in through the ranking system out of luck, as they decided to give all remaining places to universality athletes. After a lot of back and forth with World Athletics, Korir, alongside the other athletes who initially should have gotten in via the ranking, earned their spots in Paris.
Watch For This: Considering just how hard it was for Korir to get to this moment, he won’t be wanting to waste this opportunity. Expect Korir to make the race hard and to put himself in the front group with the big names. He’ll try and hang in that group as long as he can, whether it’s just a few kilometers, or all the way to the line.
Our Predictions: Has the race of his life. Beats Kipchoge, second fastest American, and lands in the top ten.
What You Should Know: Korir had a hard time getting his spot in the Olympics. Typically, the top three athletes from the US Olympic Team Trials qualify to the Olympics, which Korir placed third. However, because the US had only two runners run the auto-qualifying time, Korir hadn’t automatically gotten his spot. Rather, he had to rely on the World Athletics Rankings to earn his spot. However, a last-minute decision by World Athletics left any athlete hoping to make it in through the ranking system out of luck, as they decided to give all remaining places to universality athletes. After a lot of back and forth with World Athletics, Korir, alongside the other athletes who initially should have gotten in via the ranking, earned their spots in Paris.
Watch For This: Considering just how hard it was for Korir to get to this moment, he won’t be wanting to waste this opportunity. Expect Korir to make the race hard and to put himself in the front group with the big names. He’ll try and hang in that group as long as he can, whether it’s just a few kilometers, or all the way to the line.
Our Predictions: Has the race of his life. Beats Kipchoge, second fastest American, and lands in the top ten.
Sisay Lemma
ETH | Marathon
Bio: Sisay Lemma will be an integral part of the Ethiopian squad, as he has been building steadily since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. At the last Olympics, Lemma DNF’d, however, has only been getting better since then, with his most recent result being crowned the 2024 Boston Marathon Champion. Lemma also won the London Marathon in 2021, alongside third places in the 2020 London Marathon, 2020 Tokyo Marathon, and 2019 Berlin Marathon.
What You Should Know: Lemma can run a very fast marathon. He’s currently ranked second in the World Athletics Ranking and has run the fourth-fastest marathon in history when he clocked 2:01:48 at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. On top of that, by winning this year’s Boston Marathon, Lemma has shown that he can perform on hard courses, so the Paris Olympic Marathon course should suit him well.
Watch For This: Lemma comes in as one of the favorites, and he knows it. He’s an experienced racer and knows his opponents well. He’ll be looking to push the pace in the hard sections of the course to drop some of his competitors who may struggle in those sections, like Kipchoge.
Our Predictions: Takes the momentum from his Boston win to score a bronze medal in the Olympic marathon.
What You Should Know: Lemma can run a very fast marathon. He’s currently ranked second in the World Athletics Ranking and has run the fourth-fastest marathon in history when he clocked 2:01:48 at the 2023 Valencia Marathon. On top of that, by winning this year’s Boston Marathon, Lemma has shown that he can perform on hard courses, so the Paris Olympic Marathon course should suit him well.
Watch For This: Lemma comes in as one of the favorites, and he knows it. He’s an experienced racer and knows his opponents well. He’ll be looking to push the pace in the hard sections of the course to drop some of his competitors who may struggle in those sections, like Kipchoge.
Our Predictions: Takes the momentum from his Boston win to score a bronze medal in the Olympic marathon.
Hellen Obiri
KEN | Marathon
Bio: Hellen Obiri has been a standout on the track, road, and cross-country. Obiri initially began on the track as a 3000m and 5000m runner. She represented Kenya at the last two Olympic Games in the 5000m on the track, winning silver in both editions. She made her marathon debut in 2022 with a sixth place finish at the New York City Marathon. Her 2023 campaign kicked off with a bang when she won the Boston Marathon, following that up with a win at the 2023 New York City Marathon. This year, she doubled up on her Boston Marathon wins, taking her second title at the 2024 edition.
What You Should Know: Obiri has proven her consistency and ability to thrive on challenging courses. She’s a racing veteran and will come in with a strong plan to go for the win. This will be Obiri’s first time taking on the marathon at the Olympics, however, having already attended the two previous editions in Tokyo and Rio, she knows what to expect. At these two Games, she settled for second. She won’t be wanting to settle a third time.
Watch For This: Team Kenya is coming in with the strongest and most decorated women’s lineup, by far. With three stars, all of which could win the race, it will be interesting to watch how the team dynamics play out here. Will the Kenyan squad select and support one leader, or will it be an every-woman-for-herself situation?
Our Predictions: The strongest contender in my eyes. Knocks it out of the park and claims the Olympic title, finally getting her gold medal.
What You Should Know: Obiri has proven her consistency and ability to thrive on challenging courses. She’s a racing veteran and will come in with a strong plan to go for the win. This will be Obiri’s first time taking on the marathon at the Olympics, however, having already attended the two previous editions in Tokyo and Rio, she knows what to expect. At these two Games, she settled for second. She won’t be wanting to settle a third time.
Watch For This: Team Kenya is coming in with the strongest and most decorated women’s lineup, by far. With three stars, all of which could win the race, it will be interesting to watch how the team dynamics play out here. Will the Kenyan squad select and support one leader, or will it be an every-woman-for-herself situation?
Our Predictions: The strongest contender in my eyes. Knocks it out of the park and claims the Olympic title, finally getting her gold medal.
Zouhair Talbi
MAR | Marathon
Bio: Zouhair Talbi has made a name for himself in both track and road racing events, particularly excelling in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, half marathon…and now the marathon. He’s been consistently improving throughout the years and has positioned himself as one of the most exciting up-and-coming racers to watch in any race he enters, whether he’s a serious contender or not. Talbi has accumulated some good results throughout his career, including a fifth place finish at the 2023 World Championships in the 10,000m and winning the Houston Marathon in record time.
What You Should Know: Talbi had a breakthrough year in 2023 and has been consistent ever since. He opened his season at the Houston Marathon, where he won, broke the course record, and ran a North American all-comers’ record. Weeks later, he took second place at the NYC Half. Known for being a gutsy runner, Talbi will be hoping to improve upon his 2023 Boston Marathon, where he placed 5th and potentially find himself a podium spot.
Watch For This: Talbi may not be the biggest name on the start line, but he’s an exciting runner to watch. He’s gutsy and could pull out a surprising performance. You will certainly see him hanging with the big guns at the front and will be trying to hang with them for as long as he’s able.
Our Predictions: Not a medal contender, but a dark horse who runs a gutsy race, maybe landing in the top ten.
What You Should Know: Talbi had a breakthrough year in 2023 and has been consistent ever since. He opened his season at the Houston Marathon, where he won, broke the course record, and ran a North American all-comers’ record. Weeks later, he took second place at the NYC Half. Known for being a gutsy runner, Talbi will be hoping to improve upon his 2023 Boston Marathon, where he placed 5th and potentially find himself a podium spot.
Watch For This: Talbi may not be the biggest name on the start line, but he’s an exciting runner to watch. He’s gutsy and could pull out a surprising performance. You will certainly see him hanging with the big guns at the front and will be trying to hang with them for as long as he’s able.
Our Predictions: Not a medal contender, but a dark horse who runs a gutsy race, maybe landing in the top ten.
