Africa-Press – Kenya. An elite cast of Kenyan stars will be out to extend the nation’s glittering résumé at the London Marathon on Sunday, spearheaded by red-hot Sabastian Sawe and Hellen Obiri.
Kenya stands tall as the most successful nation on the London course, boasting 18 triumphs in the men’s race with the United Kingdom trailing on six victories and Ethiopia on five.
In the women’s contest, Kenyans have 14 wins, comfortably ahead of the United Kingdom (seven) and Norway (six).
Further strengthening that grip, Kenya has won every men’s title since 2022, building a formidable streak that now stretches to four editions.
At the heart of that run is Sawe, who returns to defend the crown he clinched last year in 2:02:27, well clear of Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda (2:03:37) and another Kenyan, Alexander Munyao (2:04:20).
Sawe lines up as the man to beat, his stock rising sharply thanks to a flawless marathon record—three races, three wins—and a fearless, front-running style that has seen him dominate every course he has tackled.
The 30-year-old launched his marathon career in emphatic fashion in 2024, storming to victory in Valencia in 2:02:05 before backing it up with his London triumph.
In his final outing of 2025, Sawe took aim at the men’s marathon world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum (2:00:35) in Berlin.
While the mark remained intact, Sawe still delivered a commanding win in 2:02:16. With his surging pedigree and relentless pace-making, Kiptum’s London course record of 2:01:25 from 2023 could well come under serious threat.
Adding further intrigue to the men’s race is a stacked elite field, headlined by Kiplimo, who arrives in scintillating form after obliterating the half marathon world record in Lisbon last month with a jaw-dropping 57:20.
Despite his relative inexperience over 42km, Kiplimo has already proven his credentials, winning in Chicago last October in 2:02:23 after his London debut.
Kenya’s charge will be further bolstered by former London champion Amos Kipruto (2022 winner) and the ever-consistent Geoffrey Kamworor, runner-up in 2023, forming a formidable frontline capable of controlling the race from gun to tape.
In the women’s field, Obiri makes her much-anticipated London debut, poised to unleash her trademark devastating kick in pursuit of a statement victory.
The 36-year-old has already shown ominous form in 2026, lighting up the roads at the New York Half Marathon, where she clocked a course record 1:06:33, outkicking compatriot Sharon Lokedi (1:07:10) and Britain’s Megan Keith (1:07:13).
Though new to London, Obiri’s pedigree across the Abbott World Marathon Majors is beyond reproach. Her glittering résumé includes back-to-back victories at the Boston Marathon (2023, 2024) and triumphs at the New York City Marathon (2023, 2025), alongside runner-up finishes in Boston (2025) and New York (2024).
Obiri will be joined by one of Kenya’s most experienced road warriors, Joyciline Jepkosgei, a proven performer and potential dark horse for the London crown.
Jepkosgei returns to familiar territory eager to reclaim her title, having blazed to victory in 2021 in 2:17:43 ahead of Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:18:18).
She remains a model of consistency since, finishing second in 2022 and 2025, and third in 2024.
However, Kenya’s quest for supremacy will face a stern test from defending champion Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, who stormed to victory last year in a women’s-only world record of 2:15:50.
