The 2025 TCS London Marathon, held on April 27, lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s premier running events, drawing over 50,000 participants and millions of spectators to the streets of the British capital. Under sunny skies and unusually warm temperatures reaching 25°C, the race delivered thrilling performances, a new women ‘s-only world record, and a spotlight on hometown hero Alex Yee’s impressive debut. As part of the World Marathon Majors series, the event not only showcased elite athleticism but also raised an estimated £70 million for charities, reinforcing London’s status as a global hub for endurance sports and community spirit. With international stars from Kenya, Ethiopia, and beyond dominating the podiums, the marathon highlighted the sport’s global appeal while celebrating local talent.
Race Overview: A Day of Speed and Endurance in the Capital
The 45th edition of the London Marathon started at Blackheath and wound through iconic landmarks like Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Buckingham Palace, finishing on The Mall. Elite fields were stacked with Olympic medalists and world record holders, setting the stage for fast times despite the heat. The men’s race saw a blistering early pace, with a group of 10 runners passing the halfway mark in under 61 minutes, while the women’s field pushed boundaries from the outset.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe claimed victory in the men’s elite race with a time of 2:02:27, pulling away in the final kilometers to secure his second marathon win after debuting victoriously in Valencia the previous year. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, a half-marathon world record holder, took silver in 2:03:37, followed by Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso in third at 2:04:20. The top 10 was dominated by East African runners, with Britain’s Mahamed Mahamed finishing ninth in 2:07:05 as the top home athlete.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa etched her name in history by smashing the women ‘s-only world record with a time of 2:15:50, surpassing the previous mark of 2:17:01 set by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir in London the year before. Assefa, who previously held the mixed-gender world record from Berlin 2023, ran a negative split to pull away from a strong field. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second in 2:16:24, with compatriot Peres Jepchirchir third in 2:16:41. Britain’s Natasha Cockram was the top female home finisher, placing 12th in 2:26:15.
A major storyline was the marathon debut of London’s own Alex Yee, the reigning Olympic triathlon champion. The 27-year-old, who grew up in the city, started aggressively with a 1:04:19 half-marathon split, positioning him in the top 25 early on. Despite fading in the latter stages due to the heat and his relative inexperience over 42.2km, Yee crossed the line in 14th place with a remarkable 2:11:08— the fastest marathon debut by a triathlete and the second-fastest by a Brit that day. Post-race, Yee expressed pride: “I’m immensely proud… It was tough, but the crowd carried me through.”
Key Moments and Highlights
The race was full of drama. In the men’s field, a large pack stayed together until 35km, when Sawe surged ahead, dropping Kiplimo and Mutiso in a final sprint that echoed the intensity of past London classics. Assefa’s women’s record came via a masterful second half, clocking 1:07:20 after a conservative start, overtaking Jepkosgei at 30km. Yee’s performance went viral, with highlights showing his early surge and gritty finish, amassing millions of views on social media.
Wheelchair races added to the spectacle: Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s in 1:26:27 for his fourth London title, while American Susannah Scaroni took the women’s in 1:45:12. Mass participation was record-breaking, with over 578,000 applicants and diverse stories, including celebrities like actor Tom Holland and fundraising efforts for causes like mental health and cancer research.
Analytical Breakdown: Top Results and Key Stats
To provide deeper insights into the elite performances, below is an analytical table summarizing the top finishers in the men’s and women’s races, along with key statistics like split times and national representation. This highlights the dominance of East African athletes and the impact of conditions on pacing.
| Position | Men’s Elite | Time | Nationality | Half Split | Notes | Women’s Elite | Time | Nationality | Half Split | Notes |
| 1 | Sabastian Sawe | 2:02:27 | KEN | 1:00:45 | Surged late; second marathon win | Tigst Assefa | 2:15:50 | ETH | 1:08:30 | Women’s-only WR; negative split |
| 2 | Jacob Kiplimo | 2:03:37 | UGA | 1:00:46 | Strong chase; half-marathon WR holder | Joyciline Jepkosgei | 2:16:24 | KEN | 1:08:28 | Led early; consistent pacing |
| 3 | Alexander Mutiso | 2:04:20 | KEN | 1:00:47 | Bronze after Dubai win | Peres Jepchirchir | 2:16:41 | KEN | 1:08:29 | Defending champ; previous WR holder |
| 4 | Emile Cairess | 2:05:12 | GBR | 1:01:15 | Top European; PB | Tigist Abayechew | 2:17:05 | ETH | 1:08:31 | Steady rise through field |
| 5 | Dawit Wolde | 2:05:45 | ETH | 1:00:48 | Debutant surprise | Hellen Obiri | 2:17:22 | KEN | 1:08:32 | Boston winner; tactical race |
| 6 | Kenenisa Bekele | 2:06:03 | ETH | 1:01:20 | Veteran legend; age 42 | Sharon Lokedi | 2:17:48 | KEN | 1:08:35 | NYC champ; strong finish |
| 7 | Girmaw Amare | 2:06:28 | ISR | 1:01:22 | National record | Yalemzerf Yehualaw | 2:18:10 | ETH | 1:08:40 | Former London winner |
| 8 | Hassan Chahdi | 2:06:50 | FRA | 1:01:25 | European contender | Ruth Chepngetich | 2:18:35 | KEN | 1:08:45 | Chicago WR holder; heat affected |
| 9 | Mahamed Mahamed | 2:07:05 | GBR | 1:01:30 | Top Brit; PB | Alemu Megertu | 2:19:02 | ETH | 1:08:50 | Berlin experience |
| 10 | Vincent Kipkemoi | 2:07:18 | KEN | 1:01:35 | Closed strong | Brigid Kosgei | 2:19:20 | KEN | 1:09:00 | Former WR; recovery run |
| 14 | Alex Yee | 2:11:08 | GBR | 1:04:19 | Debut; triathlon champ | – | – | – | – | Fast start, inspirational finish |
Key Stats Analytics:
- Pace and Conditions: Average winning time was faster than 2024 despite the heat; men’s field averaged 2:05:00 for the top 10 (vs. 2:06:30 in 2024). Women’s record underscores growing depth.
- National Dominance: Kenya and Ethiopia claimed 14 of 20 podium spots; Britain had three in men’s top 15, signaling rising home talent.
- Debut Impact: Yee’s 2:11:08 ranks among the fastest marathon debuts ever by a non-specialist runner, with his positive split (1:06:49 second half) highlighting the learning curve.
- Records and Milestones: Assefa’s WR was the highlight, but the race also saw 20 sub-2:10 men, a London record.
These metrics illustrate how the 2025 edition balanced elite competition with accessibility, drawing global participation.
Broader Impact: London’s Global Stage and Lasting Legacy
The marathon’s global reach was evident in viewership, with BBC coverage reaching 20 million worldwide and social media trends like #LondonMarathon2025 exploding with user-generated content. Economically, it injected £300 million into London’s economy through tourism and spending. Charity fundraising hit new heights, supporting over 1,000 causes and emphasizing the event’s role in social good.
Yee’s performance, in particular, inspired a surge in triathlon and running participation in the UK, with clubs reporting increased sign-ups post-race. As Race Director Hugh Brasher noted, “This was a marathon for the ages—records, debuts, and unbreakable spirit.” Looking ahead, the 2026 edition promises even more, but 2025 will be remembered as a beacon of athletic excellence and London’s enduring appeal as a world-class sports destination.