Tigst Assefa wins women's London Marathon in world record time

Tigst Assefa once again proved she is in a class of her own, storming to victory at the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2:15:50.

The Ethiopian star, already the mixed-race world record holder, now adds the women's-only marathon world record to her growing list of achievements — and further cements her status as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.

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The 28-year-old finished well clear of Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei whilst Sifan Hassan, who edged Assefa for Olympic gold in Paris last year, was third.

Assefa, Jepkosgei and Hassan, who gained 10 kilos on taking a four-month break following her win in Paris, dominated the race from the outset.

The 28-year-old, who famously shattered the mixed world record in Berlin in 2023 (2:11:53) and took silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, showed poise, power, and patience on the streets of London.

While Paula Radcliffe’s overall women’s course record — set with male pacemakers — remains untouched for another year, Assefa’s run rewrote the record books in its own right, surpassing Peres Jepchirchir’s women’s-only world best set just last year.

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From the gun, the women’s race promised fireworks. Assefa, alongside Kenya’s Jepkosgei, Hassan, and Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu, blazed through 5K in 15:34 — an audacious early pace equivalent to a 2:11 marathon, though aided by a downhill section.

Alemu would eventually lose touch as the relentless tempo began to take its toll, leaving a three-woman battle among Assefa, Hassan, and Jepkosgei.

Hassan, ever the tactician, employed her familiar mind games — drifting back and forth in the pack, trying to unsettle her rivals, just as she did to great effect at the Paris Olympics.

But this time, the pressure didn't crack Assefa. Instead, Hassan gradually slipped back: first 10 seconds adrift, then 26, then over a minute. It quickly became clear that the title would be decided between Assefa and Jepkosgei.

Assefa made her decisive move just beyond 35 kilometers, surging with a devastating 5:03 mile that broke Jepkosgei’s resistance for good.

From there, she powered home unchallenged, a broad smile crossing her face as she approached the finish line — another masterclass complete.

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Born on December 3, 1996, in Holeta, Ethiopia, Assefa began her career as an 800-meter runner, representing Ethiopia at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Her switch to road running has turned into one of the most thrilling transformations the sport has seen.

From smashing world records to outclassing the best marathon fields in history, Assefa’s journey is a story of rare talent, courage, and relentless drive.