Running News Daily

The 2025 Shanghai Marathon — a World Athletics Platinum Label event — is set for Sunday (30), and both the women’s and men’s races are shaping up as some of the strongest in the event’s history. Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and defending men’s champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba headline a deep international lineup chasing fast times on one of Asia’s premier courses.

The mass start field in Shanghai will once again deliver the energy and depth that has become a signature of this Platinum Label event, with tens of thousands of runners pouring through the city streets behind one of the strongest elite line-ups of the season. Local club runners, age-group veterans, first-time marathoners, and international amateurs will all share the course with the world’s best, creating a fast, colorful, and highly competitive atmosphere from start to finish.

With ideal late-November conditions expected and Shanghai’s reputation for producing personal bests, the mass field is poised for another year of standout performances and unforgettable marathon moments.

Kosgei Targets First Win in Two Years — and a Course Record

Brigid Kosgei, whose 2:14:04 stood as the world record from 2019 to 2023, lines up for her third marathon of the year. The 31-year-old Kenyan has been consistently sharp in 2025—second in Hamburg (2:18:26) and again in Sydney (2:18:56).

A victory in Shanghai would be her first since Abu Dhabi 2023, but the stakes go beyond winning:

• The course record stands at 2:20:36 (Yebrgual Melese, 2018).

• Pacers have been asked to roll out at 2:17:50 pace, fast enough to challenge both the course mark and the Chinese all-comers’ record (2:18:09 by Ruti Aga, 2023).

Kosgei will not be alone. Two sub-2:20 performers stand in her way:

• Irine Cheptai (KEN) — PB 2:17:51, coming off strong runs in Chicago and Boston.

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) — PB 2:18:35, part of Ethiopia’s long history of dominance here.

Ethiopian women have won 10 of the last 14 editions, and Mesfin leads their charge again.

China brings a serious contender as well.

• Zhang Deshun, the No. 3 all-time Chinese marathoner (2:20:53 at Tokyo), returns just two weeks after winning the National Games.

Add in Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) — who won marathons in Seoul and Mexico City this year — and the women’s race becomes one of the most competitive in Shanghai’s history.

Four Sub-2:04 Ethiopians Lead Men’s Lineup

The men’s race may be even deeper. Ethiopia sends a quartet capable of pushing into all-time territory:

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) — 2:02:38, fastest in the field

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) — 2:02:48, two-time Tokyo champion

• Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) — 2024 Berlin winner

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) — former Xiamen champion

Geleta has been brilliant when healthy, clocking 2:02:38 in Valencia and 2:03:51 in Tokyo this year, though he dropped out of Wuxi and the World Championships. Legese tuned up with a 1:00:54 at the New Delhi Half.

But Ethiopia is far from guaranteed victory.

Kiptoo Kipchumba Returns to Defend His Title

Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba, the 2023 champion, owns the Chinese all-comers’ record of 2:05:35 set in Shanghai. He hasn’t raced since placing 10th here last year, but he returns with unfinished business.

He is joined by a strong Kenyan contingent:

• Titus Kipruto — 2:04:54

• Solomon Kirwa Yego — 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter — 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich — 2:06:47

China’s biggest hope is Feng Peiyou, the second-fastest Chinese marathoner ever (2:07:06). A small improvement would break the national record of 2:06:57.

Pacers will target 2:58/km (≈2:05:00) — fast enough to threaten Kiptoo’s all-comers’ record.

 Leading Entries

Women

• Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:04

• Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) – 2:17:51

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:18:35

• Selly Chepyego Kaptich (KEN) – 2:20:03

• Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:20:53

• Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:21:36

• Veronicah Njeri Maina (KEN) – 2:24:46

• Xia Yuyu (CHN) – 2:25:45

• Wu Bing (CHN) – 2:26:01

• Li Meizhen (CHN) – 2:27:51

• Shen Ni (CHN) – 2:28:47

• Huang Xuemei (CHN) – 2:29:51

Men

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:02:38

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) – 2:02:48

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:03:48

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 2:04:42

• Titus Kipruto (KEN) – 2:04:54

• Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba (KEN) – 2:05:35

• Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) – 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter (KEN) – 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich (KEN) – 2:06:47

• Feng Peiyou (CHN) – 2:07:06

• Challa Gossa (ETH) – 2:07:32

• Wu Xiangdong (CHN) – 2:08:04