Marathon world record-holder Tigist Assefa is heading to next month’s London Marathon

Addis Ababa, March 5, 2024 (FBC) – The reigning women’s marathon world record holder Tigist Aseffa of Ethiopia is among three of the top four fastest women in history who will spearhead a charge to set a new women’s-only world record at the 2024 TCS London Marathon, the organizers confirmed.

The challenge will be led by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who became the new world record holder when she ran an incredible 2:11:53 at last September’s BMW Berlin Marathon, obliterating the previous best mark of 2:14:04 set by Brigid Kosgei (KEN) in 2019.

Assefa and Kosgei (KEN) are among a star-studded list of runners confirmed for the 2024 TCS London Marathon who are targeting smashing the women’s-only world record for the marathon distance which has stood for seven years since Mary Keitany (KEN) ran 2:17:01 at the 2017 London Marathon.

Others with eyes on the record include Ruth Chepngetich, the fourth-fastest woman of all time (2:14:18), Peres Jepchirchir (KEN), the reigning Olympic champion, and Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH), the 2022 TCS London Marathon champion.

Pacemakers will be tasked with keeping the leading women on track for the women’s-only world record, which is possible at the TCS London Marathon as the elite women run a separate race to the elite men and masses.

The elite men’s race is headlined by reigning TCS New York City Marathon champion Tamirat Tola (ETH), the seventh-fastest man in history Mosinet Geremew (ETH, 2:02:55) and Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) who was runner-up at the 2023 Valencia Marathon in a time of 2:03:11.

Also confirmed is the 2023 TCS London Marathon runner-up Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN), and multiple world champion on the track – and the third-fastest marathoner in history – Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) who set a new world record in the masters category at the 2023 Valencia Marathon when he ran 2:04:19 aged 41.