World record holder Chepngetich and defending champion Jepchirchir withdraw from London Marathon

Marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and 2024 London Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir have withdrawn from this month’s London Marathon.

Chepngetich, who made history last October when she became the first woman to run inside 2 hours and 10 minutes (2:09:56) at the Chicago Marathon says she is not physically fit to race against the best in the world.

‘I’m not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best in London and I am therefore withdrawing. I am very sad to miss the race and I hope to be back next year,’ said the Kenyan has never won any major marathon outside of the USA.

Her best position in London her third place in October 2020 when she ran 2:22:05.

For Jepchirchir, she will be unavailable on April 27 due to an ankle injury.

‘Winning last year’s TCS London Marathon was one of the highlights of my career and I was very much looking forward to returning this year to defend my title. Unfortunately, my injury has made this impossible but I am focused on getting healthy again and hope to return to London again in the future when I’m fully fit,’ she said.

Prior to ger win in London last year, the 2021 Olympic champion has won in Boston (2022) and New York (2021).

Meanwhile, 2018 London Marathon champion Vivian Cheruiyot has been added to the field.