Big Blows Hit London Marathon as Chepngetich and Jepchirchir Withdraw

(The Post News)- The upcoming London Marathon has taken a major knock with the last-minute withdrawals of Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir—two of Kenya’s most decorated long-distance runners. Organisers confirmed the news on Friday, just under two weeks before the April 27 event.

Chepngetich, who stunned the world by breaking the women’s marathon record in Chicago last year with a time of 2:09:56, shared that she’s currently not in a position—physically or mentally—to deliver a strong performance. While disappointed, she’s optimistic about returning next year.

Meanwhile, reigning London champion Jepchirchir, who also holds Olympic gold and three major marathon wins, is sidelined due to an ankle injury. She’s now prioritising her recovery with hopes of making a strong comeback in future editions of the race.

To soften the blow, 2018 winner Vivian Cheruiyot has been added to the elite line-up. The seasoned Kenyan runner brings experience and grit to an already competitive field.

Despite the high-profile absences, this year’s London Marathon is still on track to make history, with over 56,000 runners expected—potentially breaking the world record for the largest number of participants in a marathon.

Fans may miss seeing the blazing speed of Chepngetich and Jepchirchir this time around, but the energy and scale of the event are sure to deliver a thrilling race day in the British capital.