Published: 05 March 2024 London Marathon could barely be more stacked if it came balanced on top of a Jenga tower. Three of the four fastest women in history will toe the start line in what promises to be a mouth-watering morning of racing.

The challenge will be led by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa (pictured, above), who became the world record holder in emphatic fashion by winning the 2023 Berlin Marathon in 2:11:53. That bested the previous mark of 2:14:04, set by Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei in 2019.

Kosgei will be joining Assefa in London, alongside Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir and Yalemzerf Yehualaw. All five women will fancy their chances of beating the women’s-only marathon record of 2:17:01, set by Mary Keitany at the 2017 London Marathon. The 'women’s-only' category refers to a race where women run without any male athletes in competition, which is the case in London as women and men start at different times.

While it’s possible to question the need for a women’s-only record – Assefa’s 2:11:53 is the fastest a woman has run a marathon, so does it matter if the pacemakers were male or she was running alongside male runners? – it’s clearly a focus for the London Marathon this year, where the pacemakers will be tasked with keeping the leading women on track for the women’s-only record.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the London Marathon, said: 'We are in a golden age of women’s marathon running. When Paula Radcliffe ran her incredible world record of 2:15:25 at the 2003 London Marathon, we had to wait 16 years for Brigid Kosgei to beat it. But since then, a further four women have run faster than Paula’s time including Tigst Assefa, who lowered the world record even further with her stunning run in Berlin last year. Despite this, the women’s-only world record of 2:17:01, set by the great Mary Keitany here at the London Marathon in 2017, has amazingly stayed intact.

'However, I suspect that with Assefa, Kosgei and the likes of Ruth Chepngetich, Peres Jepchirchir and Yalemzerf Yehualaw in the field and where a total of 10 women have run under 2:17:30 seconds, Keitany’s world record is going to be under serious threat.'

Men’s field

While the men’s field isn’t quite as stacked, it doesn’t lack for talent or intrigue. Reigning New York City Marathon champion, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, will be among the favourites, as will compatriot and seventh-fastest man in history Mosinet Geremew (2:02:55). Other notable names embrace last year’s runner-up, Kenya’s Geoffrey Kamworor, and the ageless wonder, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, who last year set a new v40 marathon record of 2:04:19 aged 41.

Then there’s the British contingent. Emile Cairess returns after becoming the third-fastest Brit in history when he ran 2:08:07 on his London Marathon debut last year. Marc Scott, meanwhile, will be making his marathon debut, and Callum Hawkins will be hoping to recapture the form that saw him finish fourth at the 2017 World Champs.