Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa delivered a stunning performance at the 2025 London Marathon, winning the women's elite race and setting a new women-only world record with a remarkable time of 2:15:50. This victory not only marks Assefa's first title at the London Marathon but also shatters the previous record of 2:16:16 held by Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir, which was set during last year's event. Assefa's achievement is a testament to her incredible talent and determination, having previously finished second in both the London and Paris Olympic Marathons last year.
Assefa's performance was characterized by her strategic pacing and relentless drive. She initially took charge of the race at the 10-kilometer mark, clocking in at 31:16 minutes, and continued to build momentum. By the time she reached the halfway point, her time was an impressive 1:06:40, with her closest competitor, Joycline Jepkosgei, trailing by 10 seconds. Assefa's ability to maintain her pace while others faltered was evident as she surged ahead after the 35-kilometer mark, ultimately leaving Jepkosgei behind.
Jepkosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2021, finished in second place with a time of 2:18:43, while Olympic champion Sifan Hassan crossed the finish line in third with a time of 2:18:59. Hassan, who had been a strong contender, lost touch with the leading group around the halfway point and struggled to keep pace as the race progressed.
Assefa's victory adds to her impressive resume, which includes triumphs at the Berlin Marathon in both 2022 and 2023, where she set a marathon world record of 2:11:53. Her latest win in London solidifies her status as one of the top marathon runners in the world.
In the men's race, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe claimed victory with an outstanding time of 2:02:27, making it the second-fastest time ever recorded at the London Marathon. Sawe's win came after a strategic attack at a drinks station, where he pulled away from his competitors and crossed the finish line alone. Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda, making his marathon debut, finished in second place with a time of 2:03:37. The battle for third was intense, with Alexander Mutiso Munyao narrowly edging out Abdi Nageeye, both finishing with a time of 2:04:20.
Legendary marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge, known for his record-breaking performances, finished in sixth place with a time of 2:05:25, a testament to the fierce competition of this year's event.
The women's wheelchair race saw Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner set a new course record with a time of 1:34:18, just two seconds shy of her own world record. Debrunner's performance was unmatched, as she sprinted down the finishing straight on The Mall, leaving her competitors far behind. The USA's Susannah Scaroni finished second, nearly four minutes back, while Switzerland's Manuela Schär rounded out the podium in third place with a time of 1:41:06.
In the men's wheelchair race, Marcel Hug of Switzerland continued his dominance by winning his seventh overall and fifth consecutive title in London, completing the course in 1:25:25. Hug's victory came just days after he secured another major marathon win in Boston.
This year's London Marathon showcased not only the incredible talent of the athletes but also the spirit of competition that defines this prestigious event. With Assefa's record-breaking performance and Sawe's impressive victory, the 2025 London Marathon will be remembered as a historic day in marathon running.
