Sifan Hassan made her stunning debut in the long distance race two years ago after stopping twice to stretch her hips during a memorable London Marathon win. The Dutch multi-distance phenomenon is back and it’s exciting to see what she can do.
The 32-year-old won the Olympic marathon in Paris in August, making headlines as four Olympic and Paralympic marathon champions were confirmed for the April 27 event.
“I never dreamed that I would win a gold medal in London, but suddenly (then) my mind thought of Paris: I’m going to run a marathon there,” Hassan told reporters in a video call.
“I’m so scared of marathons. Did I not finish? Will it hurt? Oh my gosh, what will happen? Will people say I made a big mistake? So, I don’t like the London (2023) Marathon. I want to enjoy it this time.”
Paris men’s marathon champion Tamirat Tora will be looking for his maiden victory at his fifth attempt in London, while Paralympic marathon gold medalists Catherine de Brenner and Marcel Hague compete in the women’s and men’s Leading the wheelchair category.
Hassan won the Paris Marathon with one of her famous kicks, taking on Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa before dumping her in the final stretch to set her up early in the race. He added gold medals to the two bronze medals he won in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters at the Olympics some time ago.
She then took what she called one of the longest breaks of her career, stepping away for nearly four months to reconnect with family and friends.
“I stopped running completely, and I’ve recovered really well, amazingly,” she said. “I want my friends and family to know that I’m always busy with work, but you are important to me.”
Despite having accomplished so much in the sport, Hassan now has a completely new look and has no plans to take it easy.
“I have a lot of curiosity, I have a lot of goals in my head and I want to see what I can do,” she said.
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She is considering turning her attention to the grueling 42.195km race some season before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the goal of competing in four major marathons that year.
She also believes the world marathon record is within reach – even though Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich was incredibly close to two minutes behind at the Chicago Marathon in October, winning in 2:09:56.
“Her results were incredible,” Hassan said. “No one thought women could run then, and maybe in the future too. She was not with us in Paris. Also, last time I think she ran 2 minutes and 15 seconds (Chepenguitic won in 2 minutes and 14.18 seconds) 2022 Chicago Marathon).
“So, I look back now and it’s incredible what she did, it’s amazing,” she said.
“It’s probably just a matter of time. So if I train properly, maybe it would take me two years to get there, first to get in 2:11 shape and then 2:10 and then run that time. But it’s possible.”
