Published: 09:56, April 28, 2025
Assefa breaks women-only world record in London Marathon
By Xinhua
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia celebrates during the medal presentation after winning the women's race at the London Marathon, April 27, 2025. (PHOTO / AP)

LONDON - Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa broke the women-only marathon world record to win the London Marathon on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who finished second in 2024 behind Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir (then-record 2:16:16), dominated this year's race in Jepchirchir's absence.

Assefa held her position in a leading pack of four from the start before surging ahead in the final stage to clinch victory in 2:15:50.

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia celebrates after winning the women's race at the London Marathon, on April 27, 2025, she set a new women's only world record time at the event. (PHOTO / AP)

"I'm really happy to win and break the world record today," said Assefa, who was seven seconds behind Jepchirchir last year. "I've worked really hard for this."

Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second in 2:18:43. The Kenyan was the only one who could keep pace with Assefa after the halfway point, but was left behind in the last 10 kilometers.

Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands was third in 2:18:59.

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crosses the line to win the men's race at the 2025 London Marathon in central London on April 27, 2025. (PHOTO / AFP)

In the men's elite race, a pack of nine competitors ran shoulder-to-shoulder in the leading group for almost 30km before Sabastian Sawe of Kenya pushed forward to clinch the title in 2:02:27.

Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo was one minute and 10 seconds behind to take silver, while defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya finished third in 2:04:20.

Legendary Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge was sixth but was very happy with his result of 2:05:25.

READ MORE: Kiptum breaks London Marathon record, Hassan makes great debut

"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 medallist who withdrew midway at the Paris Olympic Games last year.