Editorial · All 12 ranked

Greatest Marathon of All Time

Every athlete in our marathon coverage, ranked by documented honours and records.

A living list, updated as careers unfold.

Rank	Athlete	Sport	Nation	Honours	Honours
1	Haile GebrselassieMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	Ethiopia	Olympic Gold Medalsx6	6
2	Joshua CheptegeiMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	Uganda	Olympic Gold Medalx9	9
3	Eliud KipchogeMarathon · Marathon, 5000 m	Marathon	Kenya	Olympic Gamesx7	7
4	Sifan HassanMarathon · Middle- and long-distance running	Marathon	Netherlands	Olympic Gold Medalx7	7
5	Kenenisa BekeleMarathon	Marathon	Ethiopia	Olympic Gold Medalsx7	7
6	Paula RadcliffeMarathon	Marathon	United Kingdom	World Marathon Championx8	8
7	Galen RuppMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	United States	Olympic Silver Medalx6	6
8	Letesenbet GideyMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	Ethiopia	Olympic Bronze Medalx5	5
9	Kelvin KiptumMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	Kenya	Marathon World Recordx4	4
10	Brigid KosgeiMarathon · Marathon, Long-distance running	Marathon	Kenya	World Recordx5	5
11	Ruth ChepngetichMarathon · Marathon running	Marathon	Kenya	World Championshipsx5	5
12	Tigst AssefaMarathon · Long-distance running	Marathon	Ethiopia	World Marathon Recordx4	4

Methodology: compiled from each athlete's documented honours, records and public estimates on their AthleteWiki profile. All 12 eligible athletes ranked. Updated 2026-10-30.