The 2024 London Marathon is scheduled to take place on 21st April and the city is bracing itself for the event’s biggest-ever turnout with thousands of eager runners expected to take to the streets to tackle the landmark-laced route across the city.
This year’s race, which is the 44th edition of the famous run, will feature a star-studded line-up of elite participants as well as the marathon’s usual horde of keen amateurs, and excitement has been building steadily ahead of the event.
Europe’s 2nd biggest marathon brings eyes from all around the world, as well as the most elite marathon talent, but who is in line to win the race in 2024?
How many people will run the 2024 London Marathon?
Approximately 58,000 people ran the 2023 London Marathon, which included 1,029 runners from Ireland. However, the number of entries has skyrocketed in 2024 to new record-breaking levels.
Indeed, for the first time in history, more than half a million (578,374) contestants have applied to enter the ballot for the 2024 TCS London Marathon, smashing the previous record of 457,861 applications set in 2019 ahead of the 2020 iteration of the race.
Of the 578,374 applications for this year’s ballot, 457,105 were from the UK, with 242,199 entries from men (52.9%) and 212,179 from women (46.7%), with a further 2,807 (0.06%) of entries made by non-binary applicants.
121,269 applications were made in the international ballot from non-UK residents, which will ensure that the race’s cosmopolitan reputation holds firm.
Speaking about the 2024 London Marathon’s record-breaking wave of applicants, event director Hugh Brasher said:
This incredible new world record reflects the extraordinary inspirational effect of the TCS London Marathon on 23 April. We work to inspire activity in people of all ages and abilities and these record-breaking numbers show how the TCS London Marathon weekend does that.
The unique camaraderie and togetherness that participants feel when they take part in the London Marathon continues to have an extraordinary impact on the desire for people to take part. It is an event that inspires people to take up running and to raise millions for charity.
Who are the elite runners in the 2024 London Marathon?
An all-star cast of protagonists will descend on London on 21st April to compete for honours and records at the 2024 London Marathon, including three of the top four fastest women in history.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who set a new world record when she ran 2:11:53 at the BMW Berlin Marathon last September, should get top billing again, though rival Brigid Kosgei from Kenya – who held the previous record – will feel that she has a score to settle.
Both Assefa and Kosgei will be among those hoping to shatter the current women’s-only record at the London Marathon, which was set seven years ago by Mary Jepkosgei Keitany (KEN), who completed the event in 2:17:01 at the 2017 London Marathon.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for the fourth-fastest woman of all time, Peres Jepchirchir (KEN), as well as the reigning Olympic gold medal holder and winner of the 2022 London Marathon, Yalemzerf Yehualaw (ETH).
In the men’s event, Tamirat Tola (ETH), who won the New York City Marathon with a new record time of 2:04:58 in November last year, will be seeking glory again.
Other headline acts in the men’s race include the third-fastest marathon runner in history, Kenenisa Bekele (ETH), and the seventh-fastest man in the history of the discipline, Mosinet Geremew (ETH).
41-year-old Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN), who came second at the 2023 Valencia Marathon with a time of 2:03:11, is also shaping up to be a contender, while Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN), who landed the runners-up position in the 2023 London Marathon, will also be in attendance.
Tragically, last year’s London Marathon winner, Kelvin Kiptum, passed away in an automobile accident in February at the age of just 24.
Who has the best odds of winning the 2024 London Marathon?
Winners of the men’s and women’s races at the London Marathon stand to win £44,000 each in 2024, and the event’s prime contenders are almost certain to come from Africa’s stable of elite marathon-running talent.
In the men’s event, much of the chatter has been about the possible head-to-head between Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola and his legendary compatriot Kenenisa Bekele.
Tola finished third at last year’s London Marathon, though he crossed the finish line just 36 seconds behind Geoffrey Kamworor (2nd), and the 32-year-old’s record-breaking effort at New York hinted that he could be ready to make the leap in the English capital.
Bekele, meanwhile, returns to action after a 12-month spell away from competing due to a calf injury. The five-time world champion and double gold medal Olympian is approaching the end of his career, though the 41-year-old believes that he has more to achieve over a 26-mile distance.
In the women’s elite division, history maker Tigst Assefa should be the one to beat again. The 27-year-old remains the only female marathon runner to complete a race in under 2:13:00, and Assefa’s form in Berlin last year (2:11:53) made for ominous viewing from her rivals’ perspective.
Assefa will run at the London Marathon for the first time in 2024, though the Ethiopian phenomenon is still likely to dominate the markets in pre-event betting.
Kenyan Brigid Kosgei looks best placed to oppose the favourite. Assefa broke Kosgei’s world record when she wowed spectators in Berlin, though experience could count in the Kenyan’s favour on 21st April.
Kosgei is a two-time London Marathon winner (2019, 2020) and her familiarity with the famous route around Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf could give her an edge over her opponents in 2024, including Assefa.
Form is also on Kosgei’s side after her success at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December and subsequent victory in the Lisbon Half Marathon on St. Patrick’s Day.
What are the Irish hopes in the 2024 London Marathon?
While Irish hopes of upsetting the established order to compete against the front runners at the 2024 London Marathon are considered slim to say the least, there are runners of note aiming to post personal bests near the front of the chasing pack this year.
Hiko Tonosa Haso posted a respectable 2:15:01 on his marathon distance debut to finish 67th in Valencia last year, and the 28-year-old will be eager to improve upon that time in London.
Martin Hoare and London Marathon debutant Sean Tobin will join Haso in the Elite Field Category this year.
Hoare has been performing well domestically in the lead-up to the big race in the UK, and the 37-year-old takes a personal best time of 2.18.57 to London with the aim of knocking several seconds off.
Tipperary’s Sean Tobin, meanwhile, affectionately known as the Irish Hammer, earned fame last year when he set a new record of 2:53:33 in the Antarctic Ice Marathon – a gruelling event named as the most southernmost marathon race on Earth by Guinness World Records.
Tobin has the grit to perform beyond expectations at London, though Hiko Tonosa Haso represents Ireland’s best chance at landing a top-50 finish at the event.
Unfortunately, Ireland will have no female entries in the Elite Women’s Field Category at London 2024.
How to place a bet on the 2024 London Marathon winner with TonyBet
If you’re interested in backing any of the runners and potential winners we’ve picked out at the 2024 London Marathon, TonyBet has got you covered.
Placing a bet on the 2024 London Marathon with TonyBet is a straightforward process. If you don’t have an account with TonyBet, you’ll need to register for one first. After you’ve signed up, simply navigate to the sportsbook section of the website and use the left-hand menu to scroll through the list of available sports.
Click on the correct entry to populate a list of runners and odds to the right of the menu. From there, find the London Marathon runner you want to back at the price that appeals and click the selection to add it to your virtual bet slip. Next, enter the amount you want to stake on your selection and hit the purple button to confirm your bet.
To place bets on the 2024 London Marathon, click here.
