Matt Wilpers London Marathon Experience: A Six-Star Finish on an Historic Day

Matt Wilpers Completes His Six-Star Journey at a Record-Breaking London Marathon

Peloton instructor Matt Wilpers crossed the finish line of the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26 in a time of 2:58:25, completing one of distance running’s most coveted milestones in the middle of one of the sport’s most historic days. The Matt Wilpers London Marathon finish earned him his sixth Abbott World Marathon Major star, closing out a years-long journey through Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, and New York City.

He did it on a day when the sport itself changed.

A Historic Day for the Marathon

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe won the men’s elite race in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to run a marathon under two hours in a race environment, wiping 35 seconds off the previous world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum. Behind him, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia also dipped below the two-hour mark with a time of 1:59:41 in his marathon debut. On the women’s side, Tigst Assefa retained her title, crossing in 2:15:41 to break her own women’s-only world record from the previous year’s London Marathon.

Matt averaged 4:14 per kilometer and finishing 2,912th overall. Not too shabby! (Just kidding, that’s amazing!)

The PSL Events Before the Race (and the Surprise that had Members Smiling)

The Matt Wilpers London Marathon experience started well before the starting gun. Peloton Studios London hosted a fireside chat featuring Matt alongside instructors Joslyn Thompson Rule and Hannah Frankson, centered on what actually builds a strong marathoner. The panel covered cross-training, strength work, recovery, and mental resilience. The three instructors engaged with each other and the members as they fielded audience questions.

Friday brought the pre-race shakeout. Matt (joined by Jeffrey McEachern) led a 5K run through London streets in partnership with local run club Asian Girls Run, with a group that included Peloton-branded supporters, Team Wilpers members, and runners from the running community. The mood was celebratory and full of camaraderie. Afterward, the group gathered at PSL for carb-loading refreshments ahead of race day, with Peloton staff feeding the crowd ahead of Sunday’s start.

In a spectacular surprise for members at home (and the lucky UK Lionesses who were live in Studio), none other than Matt Wilpers appeared in Hannah Frankson’s live Power Zone Endurance class that aired at 7am ET in Matt’s usual “early morning long ride” Saturday slot. And he didn’t just appear, he rode till he was sweating through his shirt, the spotlight shining down upon him, with his laughter so loud (he was not even mic’ed up!) that we could actually hear it as if we were all the lucky ones riding next to him at PSL.

What made this experience so great? It was a hilarious IRL love letter from mentee to mentor, or student to Sensei, as Hannah joked. If you ride with Hannah, you know how much she adulates his coaching and his leadership at Peloton and within the Power Zone cohort. That’s always adorable and fan-girly on its own, but to watch the two of them interact, with a perfect playlist that included such spot-on songs as “Holding Out for a Hero” and “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND” you can just imagine Hannah’s looks and Matt’s laughter (the class thumbnail is perfect). It was not a 2-f0r-1 as he was sitting and riding with members, but it really felt like one. In fact, this is one of personal Top 5 rides of all time!

But, we’re here for a marathon, so back to business…

On the Course and in the Crowd

Race morning at PSL opened at 9:00 a.m. with complimentary coffee and a sign-making station. From 10:30 a.m., the Peloton cheer zone activated at Mile 25 on the Embankment, where Peloton Studios London instructors joined the community for the final stretch. In true PSL team fashion, the crew came out, including Hannah, Susie, Marcel, Mila, Charlotte, Sam and some friends. Mila is making a name for herself with the confetti poppers on hand for supporting her friends (like at the Berlin Marathon), and the rest of the instructors were in fine cheer zone form, especially on the megaphone.

John Ferry (aka Hannah Corbin’s Husband) Was There Too

Hannah Corbin’s husband, John Ferry, also ran the 2026 London Marathon (bib 2734). Ferry, a fitness coach who works closely with Matt/Team Wilpers, was also part of the New Balance shakeout run on Friday evening, and the two took some fun photos during the weekend.

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A post shared by Hannah Corbin (@hannahcorbinnyc)

John is always game for a good shot, as his IG time jumps with Hannah are always a lot of fun to watch on her IG.

The Six-Star Milestone

As The Clip Out reported ahead of the race, London was the final race in Matt’s Six Star journey. The Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star Finisher program recognizes runners who complete all six of the original World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and London. Completing all six earns the Six Star Finisher medal, one of the most recognized achievements in recreational distance running.

With this achievement behind him, Matt can return to PSNY with fresh energy to pull members through the next two tortuous months in Zone 4 on his year-long live Power Zone training unofficial plan (just kidding, Coach!). And, he can work on his next HYROX goals!

Did you run London? Participate in the PSL events? Let us know about your expereinces!

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