Triathlon great “getting closer to feeling worthy to stand on London marathon startline”

Alex Yee says he is “getting closer to feeling worthy to stand on that London marathon startline” as the countdown to April 27th continues.

The Olympic – and world – triathlon champion is making a sensational return to running this year as he fulfils a lifelong dream to race in the world’s biggest marathon in his home city.

Formerly a British champion on the track over 10,000 metres, Yee has focussed on swim, bike and run in the last two Olympic cycles, culminating with that incredible gold in Paris last summer.

A who’s who of marathon running

And he’s set the ambitious target of a debut 26.2-mile time of between 2:07 and 2:10, which would put him right up there with the fastest British men at that distance, including Sir Mo Farah.

READ MORE: What is a good marathon time?

The men’s field that will line up in London is arguably the greatest ever for a marathon too.

It’s headed by the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan who has won London four times and is running in the event for the first time since 2020.

He became the first man to go under two hours in a marathon when he clocked 1:59:40 as part of the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in 2019.

Kipchoge’s great rival Kenenisa Bekele is there too, as is Alex Mutiso who is back to defend his title.

Like Yee, Tamirat Tola won an Olympic gold in Paris and Jacob Kiplimo recently clocked that incredible new world record at the Barcelona Half Marathon.

Encouraging progress report

So it’s select company indeed but Yee updated his Instagram followers with his progress recently and said: “Marathon block week 5. Plenty of training partners this week, from my 93 year old Grandad to a 2:09 Marathon runner.

“150km covered, ending with an important recon of the London course!

“I’m learning so much from everyone around me and, win, lose or draw I feel like I’m getting closer to feeling worthy to stand on that London marathon startline.

“Hope everyone’s prep is going well!”