The pace groups have been confirmed for the upcoming London Marathon, with ambitious targets set for both the elite men’s and women’s races.
Assefa Aims to Break Her Own Record
In the women’s race, the leading trio of Tigst Assefa, Joyciline Jepkosgei, and Hellen Obiri will aim to be taken through halfway in 67:30. This target is inside the women-only world record of 2:15:50, set by Assefa in London last year. Pacemakers for this group include Tsigie Gebreselama, Miriam Chebet, and Anchinalu Dessie.
A second group in the women’s race has been tasked with going through halfway in 69:00.
Alex Bell is among the pacemakers for a third group, aiming for 70:00 at halfway. Eilish McColgan will be in this group.
Jess Warner-Judd and Rose Harvey will be in the fourth group, looking to run between 71:30 and 72:00 at halfway.
Men’s Field Targets Kiptum’s Record
In the elite men’s field, the first group, including Sabastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo, will aim for a halfway split of 60:30. This schedule would put them inside the course record of 2:01:25, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, and within range of Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35.
Among the pacemakers in this group are Oscar Chelimo, Andrea Kiptoo, and Nibret Melak.
The second group – which will include Amanal Petros, Joshua Cheptegei and Geoffrey Kamworor – will have a 61:45 halfway target. The third group, including Patrick Dever, Phil Sesemann and Mahamed Mahamed, will be looking to get to 13.1 miles in 63.15. Alex Yee will be a pacemaker in this group.
There will be three other groups with halfway targets of 64:15, 65:00 and 67:00.
The London Marathon is set to feature ambitious pacing strategies across both the men’s and women’s elite fields.