Tigst Assefa Races in London Marathon 2026

Tigst Assefa is set to compete in the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday, April 26, with the elite women's race starting at 9:05 a.m. local time in the UK.

What's at stake for Tigst Assefa?

The Ethiopian athlete is being widely tipped to set a new course record, after coming close to doing so in 2025. Tigst Assefa will face stiff competition from other world-class athletes, including Kenya's Sabastian Sawe.

How to watch the London Marathon 2026

The event will air in the US on FloTrack, while UK viewers can watch it live on free-to-air channels BBC1 and BBC2. The 2026 London Marathon will feature an expected 59,000 runners, including competitive amateurs and costumed fun runners.

Course details

The 26.2-mile road race will take runners through iconic London landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Cutty Sark. The final stretch of the course will lead to the finish line right outside Buckingham Palace. Tigst Assefa's performance in the 2025 London Marathon was impressive, with the athlete coming close to setting a new course record. The 2026 London Marathon is scheduled to start at 8:50 a.m. BST local time in the UK, with the elite wheelchair race kicking off the event. The event will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer, allowing viewers in the UK to watch it free online. Tigst Assefa's fans can also use a VPN to watch the event while traveling abroad, with ExpressVPN being a reliable option. The VPN can help enhance privacy and security when streaming, and is available for $6 a month with an annual subscription.