David jones
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa blaze to marathon victory in record-breaking performances on an unseasonably warm spring day
The 45th running of the London Marathon took place on 27 April 2025, as elite and mass-participation runners alike tackled the iconic 42.195-kilometre course through the heart of the capital. Under clear skies and warmer-than-average temperatures, a record field of competitors bore witness to two of the fastest performances in the event’s storied history. In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe powered to the finish in 2:02:27, narrowly missing the course record, which stands at 2:02:01. Sawe’s decisive move came between 30 km and 35 km, where he surged through a blistering 5 km split of 13:56, distancing Olympic legend Eliud Kipchoge and fellow contenders Jacob Kiplimo and Tamirat Tola.
Remarkably, this victory arrived in only Sawe’s second career marathon. The 26-year-old displayed tactical acumen and unshakeable confidence, trusting in the pacing strategy developed during months of altitude training in Iten, Kenya. Having previously impressed with top-five finishes in major road races, he now cements his status among the sport’s elite. On the women’s side, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa shattered the women-only world record, crossing the line in 2:15:50—beating the previous benchmark by over a minute. Assefa’s late-race surge left Kenyan duo Joyciline Jepkosgei and Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan trailing by a considerable margin. Her performance ranks among the fastest ever recorded on British soil
Home interest was high as Britain’s Mahamed Mahamed finished ninth in 2:08:52—the top Brit in the elite men’s field—while Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee made a stunning marathon debut, completing the course in 2:11:08 despite physical challenges late on. On the women’s side, Scotland’s Eilish McColgan claimed eighth place in 2:19:17, setting a new Scottish record and eclipsing her mother’s lifetime best in the process. The wheelchair division again underscored Swiss dominance on London’s streets. Marcel Hug won his seventh men’s wheelchair title in 1:25:25, while compatriot Catherine Debrunner secured the women’s crown in 1:34:18—both athletes demonstrating exceptional power and precision over the undulating course
Off the road, the financial rewards reflected the elite performances on display. Sawe earned a total of US$155,000—comprising a US$55,000 first-place prize and a US$100,000 bonus for dipping under 2:03—while runner-up Jacob Kiplimo received US$80,000, including his own sub-2:04 bonus. These incentives continue to attract the world’s very best to London each spring. As organisers pore over the data and celebrate another spectacular day of athletics in the capital, all eyes will now turn to 2026. Will Sawe’s and Assefa’s landmark performances stand the test of time, or will next year’s elite line-ups raise the bar once again? Either way, the London Marathon has once more delivered drama, records and unforgettable moments.
Ryan Wild
