Last year he won the two biggest titles short course triathlon has to offer as he became Olympic and World Champion.
But 2025 has a very different feel for Alex Yee as he’s currently immersed in training for his marathon debut in London on April 27th.
Some things don’t change though, whether it’s triathlon or running, as his quest for self-improvement remains exactly the same and there are plenty of encouraging signs as he tackles the 26.2-mile journey.
‘It’s looking fast’
He’s already taken in the Valencia 10K in January where he clocked a sharp 28:07.
However plans to do a half marathon race by now have been delayed by illness, but things are getting back on track as he revealed on Instagram recently, saying: “Being honest, It’s been a challenging start to 2025 with two bouts of illness and many unknowns, but this is the discomfort zone – and that’s where growth happens.
“That’s my only goal right now.
“Just returned from a productive trip to Boston with New Balance, finalizing the newest race shoe for London… it’s looking fast.”
Taking on the greats
Yee will be part of arguably the greatest men’s London Marathon field ever assembled – the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya heads it and will be up against his great rival on both track and road, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele.
Alex Mutiso (KEN) is back to defend his London title and also in the line up are Olympic champion Tamirat Tola (ETH), the fifth-fastest man in history, Sabastian Sawe (KEN), and Jacob Kiplimo (UGA), who recently clocked that incredible new world record at the Barcelona Half Marathon.
Yee has set himself a target time of between two hours seven minutes and two hours 10 minutes in London which would make him one of the fastest British men over the iconic distance.
Aussie star McKenna joins the marathon party
And following in Yee’s footsteps in taking a temporary break from triathlon to focus on running is Aussie star Steve McKenna.
McKenna won IRONMAN New Zealand last season and IRONMAN Australia the year before so the marathon isn’t new to him but writing on Instagram he explained: “Starting my season by going back to where it all started for me and endurance – running. Pacing the 2.20 group at @ballaratmarathon with a flag on my back is first up.
“With the Ironman World Champs in Nice and 70.3 WC’s in Marbella which both involve a fair bit of descending and bike skill… I would be wasting my time going up against the best in these events after learning how to ride a bike at 23yo (10years ago, but even some of the 23yo pros have more experience than me on a bike having started early). Ironman Pro series success relies on solid WC’s results. SO… with KONA 2026 more than 18months away, I have a few itches I must scratch before it’s too late (I’m 33yo now).”
And those itches include the Adelaide Marathon and the Gold Coast Marathon, with the latter being the event that McKenna is targeting for a PB.
He said: “I want to go as far under 2.20 as I can go before heading back to full time Pro triathlon life and possibly never having the time or youth to get run PB’s again.”
In amongst he’ll also tackle the Blue Mountains 100km in the Pro field, saying: “Who’s faster over an 8hr trail event out of a Pro trail runner and a pro Ironman???? I’ll most likely get my arse handed to me with the technical running, but I want an answer to this question.”
Good luck to both Alex and Steve as they look to make their mark on the marathon world over the next few months.
Jonathan Turner
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