In a surprising turn of events, two of the most formidable names in women’s marathon running, Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir, have announced their withdrawal from the 2025 TCS London Marathon, scheduled for Sunday, April 27. Their absence leaves a significant void in the elite women’s field, which had been anticipated to showcase one of the most competitive lineups in recent history.
Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan marathoner who made history in 2024 by becoming the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10 with a time of 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon, cited physical and mental unpreparedness as the reasons for her decision to withdraw from the London race. Despite her world record-setting performance, Chepngetich emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation, indicating that she is focusing on regaining her full strength before returning to competition.
Peres Jepchirchir, the reigning London Marathon champion and Olympic gold medalist, is sidelined due to an ankle injury. The 32-year-old Kenyan, who set the women’s-only marathon world record with a time of 2:16:16 in London last year, announced her withdrawal to prioritize recovery. Jepchirchir’s absence is particularly notable, as she had been expected to defend her title against a strong field of competitors.
The withdrawals of Chepngetich and Jepchirchir significantly alter the dynamics of the women’s race. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, who made a dramatic marathon debut in 2023 by overcoming cramps and poor preparation to win, is now considered a leading contender. Hassan, who has expressed excitement about returning to London, will face stiff competition from other elite runners, including Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei. Despite the absence of Chepngetich and Jepchirchir, the race remains highly competitive, with several athletes poised to make their mark.
While the withdrawals of two top athletes are disappointing, they also open the door for new talent to emerge on the marathon scene. The 2025 London Marathon is set to be a historic event, with over 56,000 participants expected to take part, potentially setting a new world record for marathon participation. As the race approaches, all eyes will be on the remaining elite competitors, eager to see who will rise to the occasion and capture the spotlight.
