Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa set a new women’s-only world record at the London Marathon on Sunday, finishing the race in an astonishing 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds.
The 28-year-old athlete dominated the competition, leading a pack of four from the start before surging ahead in the final stages. Assefa broke the previous record held by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, who ran 2:16:16 in 2024.
“I’m really happy to win and break the world record today,” Assefa said after her victory. “I’ve worked really hard for this.”
Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei secured second place with a time of 2:18:43. She was the only runner who could keep pace with Assefa after the halfway point but couldn’t match her acceleration in the last 10 kilometers. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands claimed third place, finishing in 2:18:59.
In the men’s elite race, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe emerged victorious, breaking away from a tight pack of nine runners after nearly 30 kilometers. He crossed the finish line in 2:02:27. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo took silver with a time of 2:03:37, while defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya finished third in 2:04:20.
Legendary Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge, age 40, finished sixth with a time of 2:05:25. “I’m 40, so it was no problem at all—that’s sport. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone,” said the double Olympic gold medalist.
In the wheelchair events, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner claimed victories. Hug won the men’s race in 1:25:25, while Debrunner conquered the women’s event in 1:34:18.
