Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, will be the official starter of the 2023 TCS London Marathon on April 23. Kipchoge holds the official world record of 2:01:09 and is the only man to have run a marathon in under two hours, achieving the feat in Vienna in 2019. He has also won the London Marathon a record four times, in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019, and holds the London Marathon course record of 2:02:37.
Kipchoge’s connection with London goes beyond his successes on the course, and he has expressed his excitement at being asked to start this year’s race, saying: “The TCS London Marathon holds a special place in my heart and it’s an honour to be asked to be the official starter this year. I am looking forward to cheering on all my fellow runners participating on Sunday. I wish everyone taking part, whatever your reason for running, the very best of luck.”
The 2023 TCS London Marathon promises to be an exciting event, with the elite men’s race starting at 10:00 am and the elite women’s race beginning at 09:25 am. The elite wheelchair races will start at 09:15 am, with Gordon Perry, the first London Marathon wheelchair race winner in 1981, doing the honors.
The elite women’s race will be started by two former London Marathon champions: Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway and Catherina McKiernan of Ireland. Kristiansen, like Kipchoge, has won the London Marathon on a record four occasions, while McKiernan won the 1998 edition of the London Marathon 25 years ago.
As always, the TCS London Marathon will see a host of runners from around the world, with a range of motivations for taking part. Kipchoge’s presence as the official starter adds an extra layer of excitement to an event that is already highly anticipated.
