On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the TCS London Marathon witnessed a record-breaking turnout, with more than 56,000 participants hitting the streets of the capital to tackle the iconic 26.2-mile race. As the sun shone and temperatures soared to a pleasant 22°C, the atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers from enthusiastic crowds supporting runners of all backgrounds, including celebrities, politicians, and everyday heroes.
This year’s marathon aimed to surpass the previous world record for the largest marathon, which is currently held by the TCS New York Marathon, boasting 55,646 finishers. With approximately 55.3% of participants being male, 44.5% female, and 0.15% identifying as non-binary, the event showcased a diverse field united by a common goal.
The youngest runner in this year’s event was Lucy Jones, who celebrated her 18th birthday on race day, while the oldest participants were 84-year-old Mohan Kudchadker and 83-year-old Mary Jo Brinkman, both traveling from the United States to take part in the historic race. Remarkably, six men, dubbed the "ever presents," have completed every London Marathon since its inception in 1981, marking their 45th consecutive race this year.
Among the notable participants were David Stancombe and Sergio Aguiar, who ran in memory of their daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, both tragically killed in a violent incident last summer. They were joined by Tony Audenshaw, the Emmerdale star, who returned to the marathon scene after a lengthy hiatus to raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer UK, following the loss of his wife, Ruth, in 2017. Audenshaw reflected on his return, stating, "It just felt right to take part on what would have been our 24th wedding anniversary. I gave myself a year to train because it’s a long time since I’ve done a marathon. Running at 60 is very different to running at 40."
Actress Lisa McGrillis, known for her role in Rivals, also took to the course, running for the British Heart Foundation in honor of her best friend’s late husband. Despite facing injuries during her training, McGrillis expressed her determination, saying, "I’m just hoping that on the day I’ll just push through and then never run again."
Other celebrities gracing the marathon included comedian Romesh Ranganathan, McFly drummer Harry Judd, and singer Alexandra Burke, all contributing to the event's vibrant atmosphere.
This year, an impressive 103 runners attempted to break 87 Guinness World Records, with quirky costumes ranging from a duo dressed as a slinky dog to a firefighter in full gear. These unique attempts not only added entertainment value but also aimed to boost fundraising efforts for various charities.
Among the political figures participating were 16 MPs, including Labour’s Josh Fenton-Glyn, Conservative Harriet Cross, and Lib Dem Tom Gordon. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick made headlines as he participated for the first time, following a humorous incident where he accidentally invited 600 people to a WhatsApp group while fundraising for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association.
Historically, the London Marathon has seen its fair share of weather extremes, with the hottest day recorded in 2018 at 24.2°C and the coldest in 2004 with highs of just 5.3°C. Last year, the event raised a staggering £73.5 million for various charities, bringing the cumulative total since its inception in 1981 to over £1.3 billion.
As the race unfolded, the elite men’s category saw Kenyan Sabastian Sawe clinch victory with an impressive time of 02:02:27, followed closely by Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, who finished in 02:03:37. Alexander Mutiso Munyao rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 02:04:20. Mahamed Mahamed was the highest-placed Briton, finishing 10th, while Olympic medalist Alex Yee crossed the line in 12th place with a time of 02:11:08.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa made headlines by setting a new world record for a women's-only field, completing the course in 02:15:50. Assefa’s remarkable performance surpassed the previous record held by Peres Jepchirchir by an astounding 26 seconds. Joyciline Jepkosgei and Sifan Hassan secured second and third places, respectively, with times of 02:18:44 and 02:19:00. Eilish McColgan, representing Great Britain, finished in eighth place with a time of 02:24:25.
The results from the men’s race were as follows:
- 1. SAWE, Sabastian (KEN) - 02:02:27
- 2. KIPLIMO, Jacob (UGA) - 02:03:37
- 3. MUNYAO, Alexander Mutiso (KEN) - 02:04:20
- 4. NAGEEYE, Abdi (NED) - 02:04:20
- 5. TOLA, Tamirat (ETH) - 02:04:42
- 6. KIPCHOGE, Eliud (KEN) - 02:05:25
- 7. KIPKOECH, Hillary (KEN) - 02:06:05
- 8. PETROS, Amanal (GER) - 02:06:30
- 9. MAHAMED, Mahamed (GBR) - 02:08:52
- 10. MENGESHA, Milkesa (ETH) - 02:09:01
The women’s race results were:
- 1. ASSEFA, Tigst (ETH) - 02:15:50
- 2. JEPKOSGEI, Joyciline (KEN) - 02:18:44
- 3. HASSAN, Sifan (NED) - 02:19:00
- 4. DESSE, Haven Hailu (ETH) - 02:19:17
- 5. CHERUIYOT, Vivian (KEN) - 02:22:32
- 6. CHESANG, Stella (UGA) - 02:22:42
- 7. YAREMCHUK, Sofiia (ITA) - 02:23:14
- 8. MCCOLGAN, Eilish (GBR) - 02:24:25
- 9. HARVEY, Rose (GBR) - 02:25:01
- 10. SULLIVAN, Susanna (USA) - 02:29:30
As the day came to a close, the TCS London Marathon not only celebrated incredible athletic achievements but also the spirit of community and charity that defines this prestigious event. With the sun setting on a successful race day, participants and supporters alike looked forward to the next edition, eager to see what records will be broken and stories will unfold.
