This women's elite field is FAST. Like it's probably the fastest race ever assembled on paper. The three ladies who have most recently held the World Record stand alongside the European Record Holders in the Marathon and 10km, the former Half-Marathon and 10km WR holder... and a host of National record holders, and even more...

Elite. The Women's-Only World Record stands at 2:16:16 from last year's London Marathon, it is very possible we see that taken down again this time around.

Here's who to watch:

Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya; 2:16:16): Defending champion, Women's-only WR holder. Former HM World Record to her name. Her worst finish at a Marathon Major? 3rd. Born in the town of Turbo in Kenya, you could say she was destined to be this fast.

Ruth Chepng'etitch (Kenya; 2:09:56): The first lady ever to run under 2:10 in the marathon. The outright WR holder returns to London for the first time since the COVID edition of the race where she was 3rd. In the five marathons she's finished since then, each has resulted in gold, it'll take something to get between Ruth and another W.

Tigist Assefa (Ethiopia; 2:11:53): First breaking into the World stage as an 800m specialist, injury forced Assefa away from the track and onto the roads. She's never looked back, first setting a course and national record in Berlin in 2022, then smashing the WR on the same course a year later. An Olympic Silver medal followed in 2024 after a fierce clash with...

...Sifan Hassan (Netherlands; 2:13:44): Hassan came away with Olympic Gold after her and Assefa made physical contact meters away from the line. Her PB of 2:13 is a European record and would have been a standout result in any other race, except she was beaten by Chepng'etich's World Record. She was named the 2024 Female Athlete of the Year by World Athletics but not even this prevents her from wondering why we put ourselves through a marathon.

Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya, 2:16:24): The former Half Marathon World Record holder has a medal of each colour from London Marathons past. Coached by her husband and mother to a young son who we hope will be cheering her along the way, Jepkosgei is a force on the course.

Megertu Alemu (Ethiopia; 2:16:34): Alemu has stated in the past that London is her favourite city in the world, so can she add the Marathon title to her list following a win in the ever-rapid Valencia Marathon last December?

Stella Chesang (Uganda; 2:18:26): Another mum at the front of the field will be Stella Chesang, Uganda's highest female finisher ever at an Olympic marathon was second in Valencia behind Alemu and is improving every race.

Haven Hailu Desse (Ethiopia; 2:19:29): Relatively fresh to the scene, Desse has flown under the radar but notched victories at the prestigious Osaka and Rotterdam Marathons, could she be the surprise of the field?

Susanna Sullivan (USA; 2:21:56): Full-time maths and science teacher, part time university coach, professional marathoner, you can't help but root for someone like that!

Charlotte Purdue (UK; 2:22:17): After heartbreakingly having to withdraw from last year's Olympics, Britain's 3rd-fastest-ever Marathon runner will be back to the distance with a vengeance.

Best of Britain
That's the top-10, but here are the Brits to be yelling for!

Eilish McColgan (Debut; 65:43 HM): Possibly the most anticipated marathon debut in the women's race. Eilish started out as a steeplechaser and has gradually moved through the distances, including British records at 10k and 10-miles. She has a tough act to follow: her mum, Liz, was second in this race in '97 and '98!

Rose Harvey (2:23:21): 5 years ago, Rose was a Lawyer and only jogged recreationally. In lockdown, she was made redundant and decided to up the training and has since become an Olympian and Pro Athlete! Read more.

Phily Bowden (2:25:47): One of the most familiar faces to the running fans of YouTube, Bowden shares every step of the journey to show what it takes to get to this level, all with her unashamed sense of humour along the way.

Lucy Reid (2:26:37): Last year, Reid ran the third fastest debut by a Brit at the Malaga Marathon. The craziest part? She balances all her training and racing around a full time career at JP Morgan.

Holly Archer (Debut): European silver medalist over 1500m, Archer will multiply that distance by over 26x on Marathon weekend. With a 72:59 HM to her name, it's another debut to watch out for.