The defending champion believes he may need a course record to win for the second year in a row.
Sabastian Sawe headlines a star-studded Tcs London Marathon elite men’s field that also includes the likes of Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Tamirat Tola and Yomif Kejelcha.
The Kenyan’s winning time of 2:02:27 last year, which included the Bulgarian’s 60:57 in the second half of the course, was the second-fastest at the event, behind only the late Kelvin Kiptum.
Kiptum, who still holds the world record in 2:00:35, set a record of 2:01:25 back in 2023, and Soi believes whoever wins may have to beat that mark.
“The TCS London Marathon is one of the most beautiful and fastest courses in the world. Last year I ran for the first time in London and crossing the line as champion was one of the proudest moments of my life.
“I’m excited to be back in 2026 and now I know a little more about what to expect. I’m sure with the quality of athletes coming to London, it will take another fast time to win again, perhaps the effort that the great Kelvin Kiptum put in when he set the record in 2023.”
The caliber of the field forced Soi to make that prediction.
Kiplimo, given that he was last year’s runner-up, could very well be Save’s closest challenger. The Ugandan was a three-time individual champion at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee earlier this month, as well as setting a half-marathon world record of 56:42 last season and winning the Chicago Marathon.
Cheptegei is the reigning Olympic 10,000m champion and holds world records in both the 5,000m (12:35.36) and 10,000m (26:11.00). Tola is the reigning Olympic marathon champion and arrives in London in 2:05:40 to win the Doha Marathon powered by Ooredoo.
Kejelcha will make his marathon debut after a glittering track career that included a silver medal in the 10,000m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Other athletes to watch out for are Kenya’s Amos Kipruto, the 2022 TCS London Marathon champion, and Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, the ninth fastest man in history at 2:02:38.
Germany’s Amanal Petros, who secured silver in the marathon at the World Athletics Championships, missing out on gold in dramatic fashion by just 0.03 seconds, will headline the European event alongside Britain’s Emile Caress. who was announced earlier this week alongside the entire infield.
London Marathon Events CEO Hugh Brasher said: “Sebastian Soi showed the world at last year’s TCS London Marathon that he is a man who can rewrite the marathon record books, so we are delighted to welcome him to this year’s event. Running 2:02:27 with a second potential run of 60:57. to support Sebastian’s run as fast as possible in London on Sunday 26th April.
“We are delighted to have such incredible stories and depth in all our elite races at the 2026 TCS London Marathon. From a British perspective, we’re all excited to see how fast Emil Keires and Elish McColgan can run, while the women’s reunion of Tigst Assefa, Peres Jepchirchir and Sifante Hasan. athletics fans around the world.
“Finally, there’s Marcel Haag’s bid to join David Weir as the most successful wheelchair athlete in the history of the London Marathon. It promises to be another incredible year at the TCS London Marathon.”
2026 TCS London Marathon Elite Men’s Entry List
Seventh Inve (KEN, PB 2:02:05)
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA, 2:02:23)
Dereza Geleta (Et, 2:02:38)
Amos Kipruto (KEN, 2:03:13)
Tamirat Tola (ETH, 2:03:39)
Amanal Petros (GER, 2:04:03)
Geoffrey Volunteer (KEN, 2:04:23)
Joshua Chepich (UAGAGEA, 2:02).
Shunya Kikuchi (JPN, 2:06:06)
Emile Cairess (GBR, 2:06:46)
Mohamed Mohamed (GBR, 2:07:05)
Philip Seseman (GBR, 2:07:10)
Hassan Chahdi (FRA, 2:07:30)
From Adam Lipsch (RSA, 2:08:54)
Patrick Dever (GBR, 2:08:58)
Peter Lynch (IRL, 2:09:36)
Tim Vincent (USA, 2:09:40)
Divy Griffiths (GBR, 2:09:49)
Greater Gebresilasia (GBR, 2:09:50)
Tevelde Menges (GBR, 2:09:58)
George James (GBR, 2:10:10)
Liam Buddin (AUS, 2:10:28)
Jake Smith (GBR, 2:11:00)
Mark Scott (GBR, 2:11:19)
Jack Rowe (GBR, 2:12:31)
Andrew Fife (GBR, 2:13:20)
Alex Milne (GBR, 2:14:03)
Peter Le Grice (GBR, 2:14:45)
Sean Hogan (GBR, 2:14:51)
Jack Barraclough (GBR, 2:14:55)
Christopher Thomas (GBR, 2:14:55)
Chris Perry (GBR, 2:14:57)
David Bishop (GBR, 2:15:16)
Charlie Sandison (GBR, 2:15:38)
William Mycroft (GBR, 2:15:54)
Yomif Kejelca (ETH, debut)
Gebrhiwet Has (ETH, debut)
Isaiah Kipkoech Lazio (KEN, debut)
Alfie Manthorpe (GBR, debut)
