Sifan Hassan wins her marathon debut in stunning upset

In the lead-up to the TCS London Marathon taking place on April 27, 2025, Sifan Hassan, an Ethiopian-born Dutch runner, is set to return after a stunning victory in her marathon debut in 2023. At that time, Hassan claimed victory despite stopping twice and trailing at one point. Since then, she has established herself as a formidable competitor, achieving a historic marathon win in Paris in 2024 with an Olympic record of two hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds, further solidifying her status in both middle and long-distance events. Hassan’s aspirations extend beyond her triumphs as she aims to shatter records, focusing on possibly breaking the women's marathon world record. Inspired by Ruth Chepngetich’s groundbreaking performance, which saw her become the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier, Hassan now views such a feat as attainable with dedicated training and the right conditions. Her ambition includes a vision of running four marathons in a single year, which she believes will provide insights into her capabilities ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The interest in Hassan's capabilities comes at a time when women's marathoning has evolved significantly, making it a thrilling and competitive field. As marathon distances continue to be challenged, Hassan is eager to contribute to this advancement. Moreover, she remains committed to personal bests on the track as well, indicating her multifaceted approach to competitive running. Having already succeeded in the 5,000m and 10,000m events at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, Hassan’s continued evolution as an athlete is a subject of much anticipation. With her participation in the London Marathon, she continues to carry a deep sense of appreciation for the event, referencing its significance as the start of her marathon journey, while also acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead as she aims to further her Olympic medal count and improve upon marathon performances.