Can Sifan Hassan Win Again? London Marathon 2025 Favorite Returns Stronger Than Ever

The 2025 edition of the London Marathon is finally set for April 27 after months of thorough preparations by the athletes.

The World Marathon Majors make their final stop of the spring in London and  the women’s pro race had assembled one of the strongest fields in history but it took a hit last week with the scratches by world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and defending champion Peres Jepchirchir.

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Chepngetich, 30, became the first woman to clock a sub-two hour 10 minute time at the 2024 Chicago marathon, but said she was not ready for this year's edition as previously reported by Pulse Sports.

Jepchirchir, who won last year's London Marathon in a record time of two hours 16 minutes 16 seconds, will miss the race with an ankle injury.

That’s good news for Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, as she looks to claim her second title in three years. 

Hassan and Tigst Assefa, who earned 1–2 finishes in Paris 2024, will return to elite action in London, in their first races since their thrilling Olympic marathon debuts. 

Hassan pulled off one of the most remarkable trebles in distance running, outsprinting her Ethiopian rival with a final surge.

The gold was her third medal in Paris after bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m events. This Sunday, Hassan will be seeking a third World Marathon Major title, following wins in London and Chicago in 2023.

Sifan Hassan's marathon time of 2:13:44, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, was the launchpad to her marathon running. Her Chicago time was a European record, breaking Paula Radcliffe's previous mark.

She also won her debut at the London Marathon in 2023. Hassan won the London Marathon in 2023 despite crying before the start, stopping twice to stretch an injured hip, and then nearly being taken out by a motorbike.

However, that victory in her first race over 26.2 miles sowed the seeds for Paris a year later. 

Despite being only three years into marathon running Sifan Hassan remains one to watch in London. Her endurance over the distance in unmatched and her experience comes in handy.

Although still stung by her three-seconds loss, the narrowest winning margin in the women’s Olympic marathon, Assefa, will be eager to open her season with a win in London but must navigate the determination shown by the resilient Dutch woman in recent times