Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa achieved her first success at the London Marathon on Sunday, breaking the record for the fastest time ever in the women’s race. She completed the race in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds — faster than everyone had ever done on the handiest occasion. However, it turned into still 25 seconds slower than the general path file set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003, which included male runners.
Assefa finished second last year in London and at the Paris Olympics. This time, she pulled away from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end of the race and finished strong. The previous women-only record of 2:16:16 was set last year in London by Peres Jepchirchir. Meanwhile, Ruth
Chepng’etich holds the overall women’s marathon world record (with male pacers) of 2:09:56, set in Chicago.
In the men’s race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe won in 2:02:27, making a huge statement in his major marathon debut.
The climate was a whole lot hotter this 12 months, with temperatures achieving approximately sixty four°F (18°C) by the time runners had been completing. Assefa said the pleasant and comfortable weather helped him perform better, whereas last year he suffered muscle strain due to the cold.
“Last year was tough because of the cold,” said Assefa, 28, through an interpreter. “But this year, the weather was perfect for me. Winning here means a lot.”
Unlike the Paris Olympics where she lost in a sprint, Assefa made her move a few kilometers before the finish line this time, leaving Jepkosgei behind and running alone through central London to win.
“I trained for every situation,” Assefa said. “Whether it needed a sprint or a long breakaway, I was ready.”
Jepkosgei, the 2021 London winner, finished 2nd in 2:18:44. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan got here 0.33 in 2:19:00. Jepkosgei stated she felt the humidity and decided to preserve her power to complete effectively. Hassan, who took a long break after the Olympics, said she still wanted to participate in more races to get back to her first-class form.
In the men’s race, Sawe made a breakaway about 10 kilometers from the finish. He skipped a water stop while others slowed down and built a lead he never gave up. Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda chased him but couldn’t catch up, finishing second. Last year’s winner, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, finished third after a close photo finish with Abdi Nageeye.
Sawe had won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, but this was his biggest win yet. He is the fourth straight Kenyan man to win the London Marathon.
In the wheelchair races, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug gained the men’s race for the sixth time, finishing in 1:25:25. Catherine Debrunner, additionally from Switzerland, received her 1/3 ladies’ wheelchair identify in 4 years with a time of one:34:18, simply seconds shy of her very own international report.
Behind Debrunner, American Susannah Scaroni came 2nd and Manuela Schar from Switzerland completed 0.33. In the men’s wheelchair race, Hug beat Tomoki Suzuki with the aid of 44 seconds, while Jetze Plat from the Netherlands finished third. Britain’s David Weir, an eight-time London winner, finished sixth this time.
A report-breaking 56,000 runners have been predicted to participate in this year’s race, which started at Greenwich Park and ended at The Mall near Buckingham Palace.
