"So special to come back" - Sifan Hassan expresses excitement while announcing her appearance at the London Marathon for upcoming season

Sifan Hassan is set to return to the course that launched her marathon career as she prepares for the 2025 London Marathon which will be held on April 27. Reflecting on the upcoming race, she recently shared her excitement about her return to the same city.

The gold medalist's first marathon took place in 2023, where she shattered the course record with a remarkable time of 2:28:33, claiming victory on debut and showcasing her potential in long-distance running. That triumph in London marked the start of her marathon journey.

In a January 2025 interview with Olympics.com, the Dutch athlete reflected on the significance of that moment:

"It feels so special to come back to the TCS London Marathon. This is where I ran my very first marathon and began my journey in this incredible distance. London is also where I learned to be patient, to trust myself, and to keep pushing even when it feels impossible. It is a place where I grew, not just as an athlete, but as a person."

Notably, Hassan has achieved remarkable success across multiple Olympic Games. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, she claimed gold in the women's marathon and secured bronze in both the women's 5,000m and 10,000m events. Earlier, at the 2020 Tokyo Games, she secured gold in the women's 10,000m and bronze in the women's 1,500m while also winning gold in the women's 5,000m.

In 2023, post her first marathon, the runner shared her feelings about her experience.

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Sifan Hassan reflects on overcoming doubts to triumph in her first marathon

In Picture: Sifan Hassan during Closing Ceremony - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 16 - Source: Getty

In an April 2023 interview with the TCS London Marathon, Sifan Hassan reflected on her thoughts and feelings during her debut marathon earlier that year in London. She admitted to doubting her ability to finish the race and feeling overwhelmed. She further revealed that around the 15 to 20 kilometer mark, she considered stopping, unsure if she could continue.

As the race progressed, the Dutch runner unexpectedly found herself catching up with the group of runners she struggled to keep up with. As she neared the finish line, she sprinted towards it, unsure of her position, but feeling confident. Reflecting on her emotions, she said:

"I have never had any marathon experience; I was like telling myself, who the hell I think I'm such a stupid and crazy idiot things, I can't just do my first marathon. How I'm gonna keep up with this female, how long I can go to them, this all come to my mind." (00:02 onwards)

The 2025 London Marathon will begin in Blakhearth and conclude at St. James Park.