Tigst Assefa Triumphs in London Marathon with Record-Breaking Performance
On a warm Sunday morning in London, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia seized the opportunity to shine, clinching her first London Marathon title in spectacular fashion. The Ethiopian runner not only claimed victory but also set a new record time for a women’s-only race, making the day even more memorable.
Assefa, who had previously finished second in both London and the Paris Olympics last year, was determined to change the narrative this time around. She managed to pull away from her closest competitor, Joyciline Jepkosgei, near the end of the race, crossing the finish line in an impressive 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds. This time marked the fastest-ever in a women’s-only marathon, although it was 25 seconds shy of the course record set 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 Chepng’etich 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 emerged victorious in his major marathon debut, finishing in 2:02:27, marking the biggest win of his career.
Weather Plays a Crucial Role
The weather in London was notably warmer this year compared to 2024, with temperatures nearing 64 degrees by the time the elite runners were finishing. Assefa acknowledged that the warmer conditions worked to her advantage.
“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.”
Strategic Moves and Unplanned Surprises
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.
Despite losing the Olympic gold medal in a sprint, Assefa revealed that her decisive move with a few miles left was not premeditated.
“I was really training for all outcomes,” she said. “I felt I could win with a sprint, I could also win with a long run from home. The main thing was just to prepare well, and that’s what I did.”
Top Finishers and Their Reactions
- Joyciline Jepkosgei, the 2021 London winner, finished almost three minutes behind Assefa in 2:18:44.
- Olympic champion Sifan Hassan secured third place with a time of 2:19:00.
Jepkosgei commented on the conditions, saying, “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.”
Hassan, who took a four-month break after the Olympics, admitted she still isn’t back to her best form. She struggled with breathing every time she took a drink during the first half of the race.
“I think I need some competition,” Hassan said. “Seven months, no competition, I think my body forgot how to push.”
Men’s Race: Sawe’s Solo Breakaway
Sawe, 29, made a bold solo breakaway with about 10 kilometers left, maintaining his lead under the sunny skies. He distanced himself from a leading group of nine runners about 90 minutes into the race, choosing not to take any water 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 able to give chase but couldn’t close the gap. The Ugandan finished about 70 seconds back 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 only previous marathon win came in Valencia in 2024. He is the fourth Kenyan runner in a row to win the men’s race in London.
Wheelchair Events: A Swiss Double
In the wheelchair events, it was a Swiss double victory. Marcel Hug raced to his sixth London Marathon title in 1:25:25, while Catherine Debrunner won her third women’s title in four years with a time of 1:34:18, narrowly missing her own world record by two seconds.
American Susannah Scaroni finished second behind Debrunner, with Debrunner’s compatriot Manuela Schar taking third place.
Hug finished 44 seconds ahead of Tomoki Suzuki, with Jetze Plat of the Netherlands securing 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 started at Greenwich Park and wound along the Thames before concluding on The Mall.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
