When you have runners like Kipchoge and Bekele in a race and they're NOT the favourites, anyone watching should be alert to the fact that this will be a barnburner of epic proportions.
"But Mr. Writer, you're discounting two era-defining generational talents? Surely you don't know what you're talking about."
Dear reader, I hear your qualms. But please take your time to peruse the following list of names and their credentials and tell me I'm wrong. We have... *clears thoat*... the Paris Olympic Marathon Champion, the defending London Marathon Champion, the new Half-Marathon WR Holder, the champions from Berlin and NYC, five National record holders... need I go on? Because I can, and that's not even including Kenenisa and Eliud!
Top 10:
Alexander Mutiso Munyao (Kenya; 2:03:11): Defending champion from 2024, Munyao broke away from Kenenisa Bekele on the Embankment and never looked back. He's started 2025 with a win at the prestigious Marugame Half Marathon, running 20-seconds faster than last year. Watch out world!
Mutiso Munyao celebrates victory in 2024
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya; 2:01:09): Do you need me to explain? He may have had a bumpy year in 2024, but never discount Kipchoge. He renews his rivalry with the man below, a battle ongoing for over 20 years!
Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia; 2:01:41): Again, do you need me to give you Kenny B's backstory? He held almost every long-distance World Record on the track at some point in his career and has more Olympic and World medals than I've had hot dinners. Second here last year, he'll be fired up for revenge.
Eliud and Kenenisa's rivalry goes back to the early aughts, here at Athens 2004
Sabastian Sawe (Kenya; 2:02:05): Sawe cleaned up at pretty much every road race on the US circuit last year then first dipped his toe into the Marathon distance, winning Valencia last December and running the second-fastest time by a debutant ever. The fastest? Kelvin Kiptum. Sawe could be the favourite.
Milkesa Mengesha (Ethiopia, 2:03:17): Mengesha struggled at London last year, eventually having to drop out and was carted away on a stretcher. He returned with a bang later in the year to claim the Berlin Marathon title in a PB. Redemption arc incoming?
Tamirat Tola (Ethiopia; 2:03:39): On the hills of Paris, Tola took the Olympic title in 2:06 for a new Olympic Record – something no one predicted with the course and brutal heat. Like Mengesha, he also DNF last year's edition of London. Currently he's the number-1 ranked marathon runner in the world. Here's an interview.
Tola celebrates Olympic glory; Mengesha winning Berlin; Sawe on his way to the crown in Valencia
Mohamed Esa (Ethiopia; 2:04:39): Esa has a history of running few races but knocking every single one out of the park. The 3x Majors silver medalist wants to go one better in London.
Abdi Nageeye (Netherlands; 2:04:45): The Dutch record holder over 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon, the 2024 NYC Champion, the Tokyo Olympic Silver Medallist... in the Orange corner... ABDI...NAGEEYE! Take a look into his training.
Hillary Kipkoech (Kenya; 2:04:45): Kipkoech will be running his first marathon major in London, having debuted at Valencia with his 2:04 PB. The capacity of the Kenyan might be little known, but expect him to be a force.
Amanal Petros (Germany; 2:04:58): The charismatic German is maybe as good at dancing as he is at running. And as the National Record holder over HM and Marathon, that's saying something. He's in-form too, setting a Half Marathon PB just mere weeks ago with second-place in Berlin to become the first German under 60-minutes.
Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda; Debut; 56:42): With his unbelievable HM World Record from Barcelona, Kiplimo's debut has us all speculating at the possibility of a Marathon to match. Will the experienced marathoners in the field be able to nullify his speed or will he challenge for the win? The debut we've all been waiting for.
Others to watch outside of the top-10 times: Aussie Record holder and full-time teacher Andy Buchanan and his compatriots Brett Robinson and Jack Rayner; Former Euro marathon record-holder Sondre Nordstad Moen of Norway; Italian HM and Mara record-holder Yeman Crippa.
Esa was 2nd at Boston 2024; Abdi Nageeye, top European entry; Hillary Kipkoech winning in Osaka; Amanal Petros recently broke the 60-min barrier in the HM; Kiplimo will make marathon debut
Best of Britain
That's the top-10, but here are the leading Brits to be yelling for!
Mahamed Mahamed (2:07:05): With Olympic fourth-placer Emile Caress having to withdraw from this year's London, Mahamed Mahamed leads the way as the fastest Brit. Finishing fourth here last year, Mahamed suffered through the gruelling Olympics with an injury to come home 57th and showing his disappointment. The Southampton lad is back as a challenger for that top-10 once again.
Phil Sesemann (2:08:02): It'll be a welcome home to Sesemann whose first club was Blackheath and Bromley AC, just a stone's throw from the start of the marathon. The former doctor in psychiatry went all in on his Olympic dreams in 2023, qualifying for Paris to finish 46th. He documents all of his training on socials and is the owner of perhaps the two fittest dogs in the nation.
Jonny Mellor (2:09:06): It's been a decade since Liverpool's own made his debut at the distance, whittling away his PB from 2:16:52 down to 2:09:06. His best finish here is 11th, but he now returns with a sub-2:10 clocking in 2024 and Dad-Strength having become a father a couple of years back – top-10 is in his crosshairs.
Dewi Griffiths (2:09:49): Search Dewi's name on a well-known search engine and it'll list his profession as 'Farmer'. And that's not wrong: aside from the agricultural life, he's one of the most decorated Welsh athletes in history. He's battled back from long-term illness which meant he could barely jog for a few minutes to the top of his game. 'Mlaen, Dewi!
Weynay Ghebresilasie (2:09:50): At just 18, Weynay made his Olympic debut over the Steeplechase, competing for Eritrea. But it was a life-changing moment in more than becoming an Olympian, fleeing his nation's brutal dictatorship at the conclusion of the games and seeking asylum in the UK. Now representing GB, Weynay has become a force, ranked 21st Brit of All-Time for the marathon.
Mahamed Mahamed was 4th last year, qualifying for Paris; Sesemann makes it two of Britain's marathon Olympians in the field; Mellor's back for another London and better than ever; Dewi Griffiths is top Welshman in the field; Weynay Ghebresilasie looking to repeat as top Brit from 2022.
Jake Smith (2:11:00): A great comeback story is Jake Smith, who, a few short years back, was tipped as one of Britains top marathon prospects before suffering repeated injuries due to a bout of RED-S. He's worked back to form, highlighting the importance of looking after your health, recently winning the British Half Marathon title at Bath.
Luke Caldwell (2:11:33): "Dr. Caldwell: Experimental physicist interested in using laser-cooled atoms and molecules as quantum sensors for testing fundamental physics." reads Luke's academia bio. The Commonwealth Games representative hasn't raced for over a year, but has been tearing up Battersea Park since returning to London last year and hopes to make good on his 2:11:33 debut.
Andy Heyes (2:13:52): Another academic athlete and Dad is Andrew Heyes. The 2022 European Champs representative runs for SOAR and so will have a home-field advantage despite hailing from Sheffield. After a year off from the Marathon in '24, Andy will be making his London debut.
Alex Yee (Debut; Olympic Triathlon Champion): Aside from Kiplimo, Alex Yee's debut marathon is the most exciting in the Men's race. The Olympic Champ in the Triathlon, Yee has serious running pedigree having run 27:51 for 10,000m. Could he finish as the top Brit?
Jack Rowe (Debut; 61:08 HM): Jack has had a steady rise from the top of the club scene and into the professional ranks. He's come a long way since working as a delivery driver to make ends meet, now representing Puma and in top form, narrowly missing a sub-61 HM clocking at the less-than-ideal NYC Half last month.
Jacob Allen (Debut; 62:43 HM): Sometimes known as Britains Fastest Teacher, Jacob runs for London club Highgate Harriers, making the leap into the marathon after success in the Half and on the track. Also happens to be one of the nicest guys on the circuit.
Jake Smith returns to the Marathon; Luke Caldwell returns to racing after hiatus; Andy Heyes has had a strong start to '25; Yee is the second Paris champ in the field for an exciting debut; in-form Jack Rowe has his first go at 26.2; Highgate man and Britain's fastest PE teacher J.Allen steps up to the mara.
Preview by Liam Dee
