Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, the women’s marathon world record holder, on Wednesday was confirmed as one of the headliners in this year’s London Marathon, Afrosport reports.
Chepngetich set a new record in Chicago in October 2024, having clocked two hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds, to run the fastest time by a female athlete in marathon history.
The 30-year-old shattered the former record held by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa by almost two minutes, becoming the first woman to run a marathon in under two minutes and 10 seconds.
“The London Marathon always brings together the best athletes in the world,” said Chepngetich.
“I didn’t know (setting the world record in Chicago) was possible but I came to realise that dreams can come true.”
Chepngetich, however, will have to be at her best in London as she will be joined by Olympic champion Sifan Hassan as well as compatriot Peres Jepchirchir.
Hassan raced to gold at the Paris Games, setting an Olympic record in a time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds.
Jepchirchir, the gold medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, holds the women-only marathon world record with a time of 2:16:16, set in the 2024 London Marathon.
“Myself, Peres and the other women are strong so it will be a competitive one,” added Chepngetich.
“I want to prepare as best I can and we will see if we can lower Peres’ world record. With the strength of the field, I think we can support each other and maybe the world record will fall.”
Ruth Chepngetich and the other top athletes will be on show at the 2025 London Marathon scheduled to take place on Sunday, 27 April.
