Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who shattered the mixed world record in 2023 with a time of 2:11:53 in Berlin and finished runner-up at the Paris 2024 Olympics, won the women’s race at the 2025 London Marathon, further cementing her status as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.

Tigst beat the previous record, set by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in London last year, by 26 seconds.

“That was a phenomenal race so hats off to Tigst Assefa for being brave enough to go out in the pace she did!The manner in which she lifted herself to get across the line as well,” said Paula Radcliffe, former women’s marathon world record holder and BBC One commentator, reacting moments after Tigst’s victory.

Another Ethiopian, Haven Hailu Desse, who won the women’s Osaka Marathon in Japan in 2023, finished fourth.

Kenyan Joyciline Jepkosgei crosses the line second for Kenya, with the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, one of four reigning Olympic and Paris Olympic marathon champions, settled for third place.

In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola, who dominated the marathon at the Paris Olympics with a record-breaking performance, finished fifth at the 2025 London Marathon. Kenyan Sabastian Sawe wins the elite men’s London Marathon, crossing the line in 2hr 2min 25sec.