“I’m looking forward to soaking up the experience again.” Alex Yee confirmed as pacemaker for 2026 TCS London Marathon

Reigning Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee has confirmed he’ll be pulling on his run shoes and acting as a pacemaker at the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, where he will be tasked with pacing Emile Cairess, the leading British athlete in the field. 

Yee will be returning a favour to Cairess who paced him for 21 miles at last December’s Valencia Marathon and helped the triathlon star to finish in a time of 2:06:38 – the second fastest time ever by a British athlete. 

“Emile is a great runner, and he was a massive help to me at last year’s Valencia Marathon, both during my training block beforehand and pacing on the day,” said Yee. “My hope is that I can repay him for that help by supporting him as much as I can at this year’s TCS London Marathon and play some part in helping him achieve his ambitions.” 

Cairess, who was fourth in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games marathon, is the third-fastest Brit of all time over 26.2-mile distance with a personal best (PB) of 2:06:46.

Meanwhile Yee’s performance over the Valencia marathon raised questions about whether a focus on elite marathon running could be in store for the British triathlete.

Second Brit

Yee made his full TCS London Marathon debut in 2025 when he finished as the second British finisher and 14th overall in 2:11:08 in what is his home-town marathon. 

“It was an incredible experience to race the TCS London Marathon last year,” said Yee. “As a Londoner, I thought I knew what to expect, but the crowds, the support and the atmosphere was more impressive than I ever imagined. Even though I won’t be doing the full 26.2 miles again this year, I’m looking forward to soaking up the experience again.” 

Other confirmed TCS London Marathon pacemakers this year include Alex Bell, the recent winner of the GetPRO Bath Half who has been named in the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Road Running Championships half marathon in Copenhagen in September.  

Male pacemakers at the head of the field will include Oscar Kiplimo, the older brother of Jacob Kiplimo, who was a bronze medallist in the 5,000m at the 2022 World Championship, and Andrea Kiptoo who is a training partner of defending champion Sabastian Sawe. 

Lead image: Alex Yee competes at the 2025 TCS London Marathon. Image Getty Images

Helen Webster Editor, 220 Triathlon

About

Helen has been 220's Editor since July 2013, when she made the switch from marathons to multisport. She's usually found open-water swimming and has competed in several swimruns as well as the ÖtillÖ World Series. Helen is a qualified Level 2 Open-Water Swim Coach focusing on open-water confidence and runs regular workshops at the South West Maritime Academy near Bristol. She is also an RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard trainer/assessor.