London Marathon 2025: History Carved in the Streets of the Capital
If you thought last year's London Marathon was intense, 2025 just raised the stakes. Over 56,000 runners surged through the city's streets, creating a tapestry of sweat, determination, and charity. All eyes were on the elite contenders, and fans weren’t disappointed.
Sebastian Sawe of Kenya put on a masterclass in the men's race. He didn’t just win—he dominated. With 10 kilometers left, he pulled away from the pack and crossed the line in a stunning 2:02:27. That’s about 4:38 per mile, repeated 26 times. Pretty much superhuman. For Sawe, this win marks the biggest moment of his career, proving he’s now a giant in the marathon world.
Right behind him came Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who turned his marathon debut into a silver-medal finish with 2:03:37. Securing third in a nail-biting dash was last year's champ, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, just edging out Olympic silver winner Abdi Nageeye—both clocked in at 2:04:20, barely a blink apart. Some of the sport’s biggest names, like Olympic gold medallist Tamirat Tola, finished fifth, and four-time winner Eliud Kipchoge came in sixth. British triathlete Alex Yee, diving into marathon waters, landed an impressive 14th.
Tigst Assefa Makes Marathon History and Other Key Moments
The women’s race ended with a record-smashing sprint from Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa. She tore up the rulebook in the final stretch, stopping the clock at 2:15:50 to not only win but also set a new world record for women’s-only marathons. Assefa powered past Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, who finished with a solid 2:18:44. There was plenty to cheer for as Olympic champ Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands took third in 2:19:00. For Team GB, Eilish McColgan delivered a gritty eighth-place finish at 2:22:59—her best on home soil.
The wheelchair divisions saw Switzerland in the spotlight again. Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner turned back all challengers to retain their titles, proving their consistency at the top of their sport. Even elite runners shared the road with stars from other sports and thousands taking on the mighty marathon for personal challenges or raising money for good causes.
The event wasn’t all smooth running. Protesters briefly scattered colored powder across Tower Bridge, forcing a short disruption, but the day’s spirit couldn’t be dampened. The field was full of runners pounding the pavement in everything from superhero costumes to club vests, all united by the massive fundraising effort. Organizers aimed to smash participation records—and if the crowds and numbers on the start line are anything to go by, they just might have done it.
