The main highlights from the 2025 London Marathon
What an incredible 2025 London Marathon! Record-breaking, scintillating, and inspiring performances marked the 45th edition of the marathon on Sunday, April 27.
One would be at a loss for what story to write about after such an event. But here are some of the highlights to remember for a long time
The new women-only world record by Tigst Assefa
Given the depth of the elite women, it was expected to happen, and the former world record holder for the women’s marathon at 2:11:53, which she ran at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, took the opportunity to show that she was indeed a world record performer when she set a new women-only world record of 2:15:50.
The women’s race started at a fast pace, with the leading pack passing through the first 5K in 15:34. They crossed the half-marathon distance in 1:06:40, and soon the relentless pace reduced the lead pack considerably, until only three runners remained. Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan would lose contact with the two leaders, close the gap again before falling back. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei and Assefa exchanged the lead for most of the last quarter of the race before the Ethiopian began to break away at around 40 K.
Jepkosgei faded towards the end and finished 2nd in 2:18:44 with Hassan following in 2:19:00 for third place.
It is worth mentioning that Catherine Reline is the same pacesetter who paced Peres Jepchirchir to the previous world record of 2:16:16 last year.
The obliterating surge by Sebastian Sawe at 30K
At a drinks station around the 30K mark, Sawe intentionally skipped his bottle and surprised the rest of the leading pack. He bolted away, never to look back, while the rest had their drinks already in their throats and needed to gulp them down before running after him.
He made it a long sprint, registering 13:56 for the 30–35 km split. While he had already created a significant and safe gap against his chasers, he enjoyed a drink at the next aid station while the rest battled for the remaining positions behind him.
Sawe crossed the finish line in the second-fastest winning time ever at the London Marathon of 2:02:27, more than a minute ahead of Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (2:03:37) and fellow countryman Alexander Mutiso Munyau (2:04:20).
The national records by Jacob Kiplimo and Abdi Nageeye
In his marathon debut, 24-year-old Ugandan transitioned successfully into the marathon, setting a new national record in the process. It is rare to find a half marathon world record holder doing well in the marathon, and Kiplimo seems to be an exception.
The battle for third place was between Kenya’s defending champion, Alexander Munyau and the Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye. It was a photo finish at 2:04:20. The Kenyan took third place, and a perfect consolation for Nageeye came in the form of a new national record.
The inspiration from Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot.
There is nothing that Eliud Kipchoge, the G.O.A.T., has never achieved in his long-distance running career. He holds Olympic, world, and major marathon titles, as well as past world records.
Now at 40, he astonished many as he stayed in contention up to the 30K mark when Sawe made the move. He still finished 6th, just behind the reigning Olympic champion, in an impressive 2:05:25.
Kenya’s Vivian Cheruiyot was a late entry into the race. At 41, having represented her country in major championships since 1999, the Olympic and four-time world champion deserves respect for her longevity in running. She finished 5th in an impressive 2:22:32.
