London Marathon May Go Mixed to Chase Faster Women's Times

The world's most prestigious marathon is rethinking how to help female runners achieve their fastest times yet.

London Marathon CEO Hugh Brasher announced the race may allow elite women to run with male pacemakers starting in 2027. The goal is simple: give the world's best female marathoners every tool they need to push human limits.

The decision comes after Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa nearly rewrote history at this year's Berlin Marathon. She was on pace to shatter records before rupturing her Achilles tendon in the final miles, limping across the finish line in 2:11:04.

In recent years, London has run its elite women's race as women-only, meaning no male runners to help set the pace. While this format has its own prestige, it can make record-breaking more difficult since pacemakers play a crucial role in helping athletes maintain rhythm and conserve energy.

"We're prepared to mix it up," Brasher told reporters. "We very much talk to the athletes about what their goals are."

The format isn't entirely new for London. When British legend Paula Radcliffe ran her historic 2:15 marathon, male runners surrounded her during the race. The change would simply return to that approach, giving athletes the choice.

The Ripple Effect

This decision reflects a broader shift in how marathon organizers think about supporting women's athletics. By offering both women-only records and mixed-race opportunities, events can celebrate different kinds of achievements while giving runners more paths to excellence.

Assefa currently holds the women-only world record at 2:15:41, set in London last year. Her near-miss in Berlin proved that with the right support, even faster times are within reach for elite female marathoners.

The change also comes as marathon organizers worldwide focus on cleaner sport. Brasher emphasized his commitment to fair competition, noting the importance of records that stand on merit.

For young runners watching from around the world, the message is clear: barriers exist to be broken, and sometimes that means rethinking the rules to help athletes soar.

London's potential format change could spark a new era of women's marathon running, where records fall and possibilities expand with every race.