Uganda’s Stellah Chesang made an eye-catching marathon debut at the London Marathon today, finishing sixth in a powerful run that signals a bright future over the classic distance.
The former Commonwealth 10,000m champion crossed the line in 2:20:23, showing remarkable strength and composure against one of the strongest women's marathon fields ever assembled.
Chesang, who only recently transitioned to the marathon from track and cross-country racing, looked comfortable throughout and closed strongly to claim a top-ten finish on her first attempt at a World Marathon Major.
Her performance stood out on a day dominated by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who set a new world record for a women’s-only marathon race.
Assefa powered away from Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei with 10 kilometres remaining to win in 2:15:50, beating the previous mark set by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir in London last year by 26 seconds.
"I won second here last year so to win this year is very special. I am really, very happy," Assefa said after her record-breaking run.
"This year the weather suited me better. I am really pleased with how the race went."
Jepkosgei finished second, nearly three minutes behind, while Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands took third after falling behind the leading duo around the 20-kilometre mark.
Although much of the attention fell on Assefa’s historic achievement, Chesang’s display did not go unnoticed.
Her time of 2:20:23 not only places her among the fastest marathon debutants from Africa but also strengthens Uganda’s growing reputation in global distance running.
As she builds on this breakthrough performance, Chesang now looks well positioned to challenge for podium places in the near future, with eyes already turning to what she could achieve at the Paris 2024 Olympics and beyond.