The 2025 London Marathon delivered a spectacular showcase of athletic excellence on April 27, with historic performances and record-breaking participation highlighting one of the most prestigious events in the global sporting calendar. Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe claimed the men’s title with a remarkable time of 2:02:27, registering the second-fastest finish in the history of the London Marathon. Sawe made a decisive move after the 30-kilometer mark, surging ahead in warm conditions to leave his competitors behind and secure a commanding victory. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, competing in his marathon debut, finished an impressive second, trailing Sawe by 70 seconds, while Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso rounded out the top three.
In the women's race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa etched her name into the history books by setting a new women’s-only world record, completing the course in 2:15:50. Assefa broke away from her closest challenger, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, after the 23-mile mark and finished nearly three minutes ahead. The Netherlands' Sifan Hassan claimed third place with a strong time of 2:19:00, reinforcing her position as one of the most versatile long-distance runners of her generation.
British athletes also delivered notable performances during the marathon. Mahamed Mahamed finished ninth in the men’s division with a time of 2:08:52, while Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee made a promising marathon debut, clocking in at 2:11:08 and securing 14th place. In the women’s field, Eilish McColgan achieved an eighth-place finish and set a new Scottish record with a time of 2:24:25, surpassing the previous national best set by her mother, Liz McColgan.
In the wheelchair races, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug continued his dominance by winning the men's division with a time of 1:25:25, claiming his seventh London Marathon title. Fellow Swiss athlete Catherine Debrunner triumphed in the women’s wheelchair event, crossing the finish line in 1:34:18 and securing her third London Marathon crown.
This year’s edition of the London Marathon also shattered participation records, with over 56,000 runners taking part. The event's popularity was further underscored by a record 840,318 applications for entry, cementing its reputation as one of the most sought-after races for both elite athletes and amateur runners worldwide. The race once again demonstrated the marathon’s ability to unite participants from diverse backgrounds in a shared celebration of endurance, determination, and community spirit.
The 2025 London Marathon stands as a testament to the evolving standards of excellence in athletics. The record-breaking performances and unprecedented participation reflect not only the growing global appeal of distance running but also the human spirit’s relentless pursuit of achievement. As elite athletes continue to push the limits of performance, the marathon’s role as a symbol of resilience, perseverance, and global unity remains as vital and inspiring as ever.