Ethiopian Runner Tigst Assefa Shines in London Marathon Victory with Record Time

Tigst Assefa Triumphs in London Marathon with Record-Breaking Performance

In a thrilling display of endurance and strategy, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia emerged victorious at the London Marathon on Sunday, seizing her first title in this prestigious event. The warm weather played to her strengths, allowing her to pull away in the final stages and set a new record time for a women’s-only race.

Assefa’s victory was particularly sweet, as it marked a significant comeback from her second-place finishes in both London and the Paris Olympics last year. She managed to outpace Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds. This time set a new benchmark for a women’s-only marathon, although it was 25 seconds shy of the course record established by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 during a mixed race.

The previous women’s-only record of 2:16:16 was set last year in London by Peres Jepchirchir. Meanwhile, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya holds the overall women’s world record of 2:09:56, achieved at last year’s Chicago Marathon.

In the men’s race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe claimed victory in his major marathon debut, finishing in 2:02:27. This win marks the pinnacle of his career thus far.

The weather in London was notably warmer this year compared to 2024, with temperatures reaching nearly 64 degrees by the time the elite runners were completing the race. Assefa noted that the conditions were favorable for her performance.

“Last year I did have some problems with the cold. My hamstring tightened up toward the end of the race,” Assefa, 28, explained through an interpreter. “This year the weather suited me really well, and that’s why I’m really pleased with the way the race went.”

She added, “I was second here last year, and to win here this year is very special.”

Unlike her experience in Paris, Assefa ensured there would be no sprint finish this time. She left Jepkosgei behind with a few kilometers remaining, running solo along the Thames and through central London to the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace.

Jepkosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2021, finished almost three minutes later in 2:18:44. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan secured third place with a time of 2:19:00.

Reflecting on her performance, Jepkosgei commented, “It was a little bit humid. My body was not responding well. And I said, let’s preserve my energy to arrive safely at the finish line.”

In the men’s race, Sawe, 29, executed a solo breakaway with about 10 kilometers left, maintaining his lead under the sunny skies. He distanced himself from a leading group of nine runners approximately 90 minutes into the race, strategically choosing not to take water at a drink station despite the warm temperatures.

“I was well prepared for this race, and that’s why it became easy for me to win,” Sawe stated.

Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world-record holder making his marathon debut, was the only runner who attempted to close the gap but ultimately finished about 70 seconds behind in second place. Last year’s winner, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, claimed bronze in 2:04:20 after narrowly beating Abdi Nageeye to the podium in a photo finish.

Sawe’s previous marathon victory was in Valencia in 2024, and he is now the fourth consecutive Kenyan runner to win the men’s race in London.

The wheelchair events saw a Swiss double triumph, with Marcel Hug capturing his sixth London Marathon title in 1:25:25, and Catherine Debrunner winning her third women’s title in four years with a time of 1:34:18, narrowly missing her own world record by two seconds.

• Behind Debrunner, American Susannah Scaroni finished second.
• Debrunner’s compatriot, Manuela Schar, secured third place.

Hug finished 44 seconds ahead of Tomoki Suzuki, while Jetze Plat of the Netherlands took third place. Eight-time London Marathon winner David Weir of Britain finished in sixth place.

A world-record 56,000 runners were expected to participate in the 26.2-mile race, which began at Greenwich Park and wound along the Thames before concluding on The Mall.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.