Running News Daily

‘Look out’ - Michael Johnson makes bold prediction about Sifan Hassan as she eyes marathon history

US sprint legend Michael Johnson is among those who cannot wait to see what Sifan Hassan will do next after the Dutch legend’s recent promise to break new marathon barriers.

American sprint legend Michale Johnson believes Sifan Hassan’s determination will carry her to another historic performance following her promise to run a sub 2:10 marathon.

Hassan is one of the greatest long-distance runners and had a highly successful 2024 season when she won bronze in both 5,000m and 10,000m before crowning it with gold in marathon.

Her gold medal win came just 37 hours after her 10,000m race, showing her remarkable levels of energy and perseverance, and heading into the 2025 season, she wants to become the second woman in history to dip under 2:10, following in the footsteps of Kenya’s Ruth Chepng’etich.

Chepg’entich became the first woman to achieve the feat, previously seen as impossible, when she ran 2:09:56 at last year’s Chicago Marathon, to set a new world record, after breaking Tigist Assefa’s mark of 2:11:53 set in Berlin in 2023.

“Maybe it takes me longer to work hard to achieve it [the sub 2:10 marathon],” Hassan said in a recent interview with Athletics Weekly. “But Ruth Chepng’etich [the reigning world record holder] has shown me it’s possible.”

It is that assurance that makes Johnson, a former world record holder, believe that Hassan could be the next to make marathon history given her determination and ability to take on and succeed in various challenges.

“When Sifan gets curious about something, look out,” Johnson posted on X.

Few can bet against Hassan doing it given what she has shown before, having claimed the London and Chicago marathons in 2023 before her rare hat-trick at the Olympics last year.

Hassan holds the third fastest time in marathon history of 2:13:44, clocked in Chicago two years ago, but that is nearly four minutes away from the world record, meaning she has her work cut out if she has to reach Cheng’etich’s levels.

“I want to see how far females can go. To see what is inside me and what I can do,” Hassan added during the interview.

After such a big year when she was crowned World Athlete of the Year, Hassan will be among the marathoners to beat in 2025 but whether that includes a world record is something fans will have to wait and see.