Emile Cairess Targets Sir Mo Farah's British Marathon Record at 2026 London Marathon
Emile Cairess is meticulously preparing in Iten, Kenya, with a clear objective: to challenge Sir Mo Farah's prestigious British men's marathon record of 2:05:11 at the 2026 London Marathon. The 28-year-old Bradford athlete, widely regarded as one of Great Britain's most promising marathon prospects, views the iconic 26.2-mile race as the perfect stage to convert his potential into a historic performance.
Building Towards a Podium Challenge
Cairess acknowledges Farah as "the greatest ever British endurance athlete" but is focused on surpassing his record. Having finished third at the 2024 London Marathon and fourth at the Paris Olympics, Cairess has demonstrated his capability on the global stage. However, recent setbacks, including tonsillitis and an ankle injury that forced his withdrawal from last year's London Marathon, along with a difficult experience in the heat of Tokyo at the World Championships, have reinforced the importance of meticulous preparation.
The primary focus for Cairess is arriving at the start line in optimal health. He emphasises, "The first job is to get to the start line healthy. If you're not on the start line, then you can't perform." His recent role as a pacemaker at the Valencia Marathon, where he assisted friends Phil Sesemann and Alex Yee, allowed him to approach the full distance without the pressure of a finishing time, a strategic move he believes reflects his current readiness for a major personal best.
A Flourishing British Rivalry
The 2026 London Marathon is set to feature a compelling domestic battle, adding a new layer of excitement to the event. Patrick Dever, fresh from an impressive fourth-place debut at the challenging New York Marathon with a time of 2:08:58, will join Cairess on the start line. Dever's performance in New York, where he finished just behind the since-suspended Albert Korir, signals his potential to compete at the highest level.
Dever, 29, expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of racing Cairess over the marathon distance, noting, "I have had many battles with Emile over the years, on many surfaces, but obviously never over the marathon distance. We are close in age and have raced each other many times, so it will be good to do it again on the big stage."
Phil Sesemann, a close friend of Cairess and another key British contender with a personal best of 2:07:10, will also be targeting a strong performance. The depth of British talent is further highlighted by Mahamed Mahamed (2:07:05) and a robust entry list featuring multiple athletes under the 2:10 mark.
Elevating British Marathon Standards
Cairess welcomes the rising standards in British marathon running, observing, "I think it's nice to see that we're getting a much better standard than perhaps five or six years ago in British running." He points to the presence of four British athletes now under 2:08 as evidence of this progress. However, his ambitions extend beyond domestic rivalry. Cairess is setting his sights on competing with the world's best from Kenya and Ethiopia, believing that a focus on international competition drives higher performance levels.
In preparation for the London Marathon, Cairess will contest the Malaga Half Marathon in March, fine-tuning his form ahead of the main event in April.
Strong Contenders in the Women's Field
The women's elite field at the 2026 London Marathon also promises a highly competitive race. Eilish McColgan returns after an encouraging debut marathon of 2:24:25, which secured her eighth place last year. She is joined by Charlotte Purdue, who holds the best personal best in the field at 2:22:17, alongside Rose Harvey, Abbie Donnelly, and Jess Warner-Judd.
This collective of British female athletes is poised to challenge the elusive 2:20 barrier, a mark last achieved in London by Paula Radcliffe 21 years ago. McColgan shared her optimism, stating, "Now I’ve got one marathon under my belt, I’m excited to be able to use the experiences of last year to kick on again. British women’s marathon running is really strong at the moment so it’s going to be a great occasion for us to show that in a world-class field."
Comprehensive British Entry Lists
The 2026 TCS London Marathon features a deep field of British talent across both the men's and women's divisions. The men's entry list is headlined by Cairess, Mahamed, Sesemann, and Dever, supported by a strong cohort including Dewi Griffiths, Weynay Ghebresilasie, and debutant Alfie Manthorpe. The women's list showcases Purdue, Harvey, Donnelly, McColgan, and Warner-Judd, highlighting the breadth of quality in British distance running.
As the event approaches, the anticipation builds not only for record-breaking attempts but also for the dynamic rivalries that will unfold on the streets of London, marking a significant moment for British athletics.
