On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the streets of London echoed with the sound of pounding feet as the iconic London Marathon unfolded, featuring thrilling races that saw both Sabastian Sawe and Tigst Assefa etch their names into marathon history. Sawe, representing Kenya, captured the men’s elite title, while Ethiopia's Assefa not only claimed her first London Marathon victory but also shattered the women’s-only world record with a stunning time of 2:15:50.
The race commenced under favorable conditions, with the weather significantly warmer than the previous year’s event. Assefa, who had previously finished second in both the London Marathon and the Paris Olympics, executed a masterclass in pacing and strategy. She partnered early on with Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, both women pushing the pace to challenge the course record of 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003. By the halfway mark, it was clear that this would be a two-woman race, as reigning Olympic champion Sifan Hassan began to drop back.
As the race progressed, Assefa and Jepkosgei maintained a blistering pace, but it was clear that Assefa had more in the tank. With just a few kilometers left, she unleashed a powerful surge that left Jepkosgei trailing behind, ultimately crossing the finish line nearly three minutes ahead of her competitor. Jepkosgei finished in a time of 2:18:44, while Hassan completed the podium in third place with a time of 2:19:00.
“Last year I did have some problems with the cold. My hamstring tightened up toward the end of the race,” Assefa shared through an interpreter. “This year the weather suited me really well, and that’s why I’m really pleased with the way the race went.” Her victory not only marked a personal triumph but also set a new benchmark in women’s marathon running, eclipsing the previous women’s-only record of 2:16:16 set by Peres Jepchirchir in London last year.
Meanwhile, the men’s race saw Sabastian Sawe make a decisive move around the 30-kilometer mark. The 29-year-old, running his second marathon after a debut victory in Valencia, broke clear from a leading group of nine runners and never looked back. His final time of 2:02:27 secured a comfortable victory over Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who was making his marathon debut and finished in 2:03:37. Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 2:04:20.
Sawe’s strategy paid off as he opted not to hydrate at a drinks station, allowing him to maintain his momentum. “I was well prepared for this race, and that’s why it became easy for me to win,” Sawe stated after his victory. His performance solidified his status as a top contender in the marathon circuit, becoming the fourth consecutive Kenyan to win the London Marathon.
In a remarkable showing for British athletes, Mahamed Mahamed finished as the first British runner, taking ninth place with a time of 2:08:52. Alex Yee, the Olympic triathlon champion, made headlines with a strong marathon debut, finishing 14th in 2:11:08. “This was probably one of the best experiences of my life,” Yee expressed, reflecting on the electric atmosphere and the challenges of the marathon distance.
The wheelchair races also showcased exceptional talent, with Marcel Hug of Switzerland winning the men’s event in 1:25:25, marking his sixth London Marathon title. In the women’s wheelchair race, Catherine Debrunner, also from Switzerland, clinched victory in 1:34:18, just missing her world record by two seconds. Debrunner’s compatriot, Susannah Scaroni, finished second, while Manuela Schar took third.
The 2025 London Marathon was a historic event, not just for the records set but for the sheer number of participants. Over 56,000 runners took to the streets, making it one of the largest marathons in history. The atmosphere was electric, with crowds cheering on runners of all abilities, from elite athletes to those raising funds for charitable causes.
Assefa’s record-breaking run and Sawe’s emphatic victory have set a high bar for future marathons. With the 2025 London Marathon now in the books, fans and participants alike are already looking forward to next year’s race and the potential for even more extraordinary performances.
In summary, the 2025 London Marathon delivered thrilling races, historic records, and a celebration of endurance running. Assefa and Sawe’s victories will be remembered as milestones in marathon history, inspiring future generations of athletes to chase their dreams on the road.
