Tigist Assefa Smashes World Record for Women-Only Marathon during the 2025 London Marathon

• Tigist Assefa breaks women-only marathon world record.
• Kenya's Sebastian Sawe claims victory in men's race.

In a stunning exhibition of speed and endurance, Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa destroyed the women's world record at the TCS London Marathon in a phenomenal 2:15:50. Not only did the effort secure Assefa her first London Marathon, it also shattered last year's record by Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir by a commanding 26 seconds; that record had stood at 2:16:16.

From the start, an electrifying rhythm was established in the race. A front group with Assefa, Kenya's Jepkosgei, Olympic winner Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, and Ethiopia's Megertu Alemu zipped through 5km in 15:34, significantly faster than sub-2:15 target pace. At the halfway point, it was two-way; Assefa was with Jepkosgei, en route to a 1:06:40 split.

At 35km, Assefa made a bold move with an astonishing 5:03 on the 24th mile. She shot away from the rest of the field in a hurry, with ample space between her and the pack: 56 seconds at the point of crossing 40km. At the finish line, Assefa did more than take victory; by achieving one of the fastest times ever recorded in a women's only race, she cemented her place as a marathon legend.

It placed Assefa's performance as her third-fastest marathon ever, behind the 2:11:53 mixed-race world record in Berlin (2023) and 2:15:37 in Berlin (2022).Joyciline Jepkosgei was second, finishing strongly behind Assefa in 2:18:43, with Sifan Hassan third in 2:18:59.

While enthusiasm surrounded the men's venue, Kenya's Sebastian Sawe rushed to an overwhelming win in a dazzling 2:02:27, the second-best London Marathon time on record. In his debut marathon, Jacob Kiplimo, the half-marathon world record holder from Uganda, left everyone stunned finishing second in 2:03:37.

The superhuman feats at the 2025 London Marathon pushed the envelope once again for marathon racing around the world. All results subject to official ratification.