London Marathon 2025 Results: Sawe Wins Debut, Tigst Assefa Breaks Women's-Only WR

LONDON, ENGLAND — April 27, 2025

Featured Image Credit of Sabastian Sawe: © Athletics Africa, World Athletics, London 2025

The 2025 TCS London Marathon delivered a dramatic day of elite racing, with Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa taking the standard marathon titles, while Switzerland’s Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner solidified their wheelchair dominance.

Warm Conditions Fuel Fierce Racing

London’s typically mild spring conditions gave way to warmer-than-usual weather, which began to test the depth of the elite fields. The race unfolded under rising temperatures and on a course known for its strategic bridges and winding turns, demanding both strength and tactical acumen from the athletes.

Sawe’s Calculated Breakaway Seals Men’s Title

Sabastian Sawe executed a decisive move around the 10-kilometer-to-go mark, leaving a leading pack behind and pushing through solo to the finish. He crossed in 2:02:27, marking a breakout win in his major marathon debut. Jacob Kiplimo, making his first full marathon appearance, claimed second in 2:03:37. In a thrilling finish for third, Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso edged Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye with both clocking 2:04:20.

Men's Leading Results (Standard Marathon)

1. Sabastian Sawe (KEN): 2:02:27

2. Jacob Kiplimo (UGA): 2:03:37

3. Alexander Mutiso (KEN): 2:04:20

Assefa’s Statement Victory: A Women-Only World Record

Tigst Assefa surged ahead late in the race to win in 2:15:50, breaking the women-only marathon world record and distancing her rivals decisively. Joyciline Jepkosgei secured second in 2:18:44, while Sifan Hassan took third in 2:19:00.

Women's Leading Results (Standard Marathon)

1. Tigst Assefa (ETH): 2:15:50

2. Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN): 2:18:44

3. Sifan Hassan (NLD): 2:19:00

Hug & Debrunner: Wheelchair Supremacy Maintained

In the men’s wheelchair race, Marcel Hug rode with authority to capture victory in 1:25:25, fending off challengers such as Tomoki Suzuki (1:26:09) and Jetze Plat (1:26:49).

The women’s wheelchair division saw Catherine Debrunner earn her third London title in 1:34:18, narrowly missing her own world record. Behind her, Susannah Scaroni secured second place, and Manuela Schär rounded out the podium.

Wheelchair Leading Results

Men

1. Marcel Hug (SUI): 1:25:25

2. Tomoki Suzuki (JPN): 1:26:09

3. Jetze Plat (NED): 1:26:49

Women

1. Catherine Debrunner (SUI): 1:34:18

2. Susannah Scaroni (USA)

3. Manuela Schär (SUI)

A Landmark Edition in London

The 2025 London Marathon will be remembered for its record-breaking performances, bold breakaways, and wheelchair mastery. Sawe’s tactical gamble paid off, Assefa’s late charge made history, and Hug and Debrunner carried on Switzerland’s dominance in wheelchair racing. In what was perhaps a warmer-than-expected spring day, the race reaffirmed London’s status as one of the world’s premier marathon stages.

Related Stories