London, United Kingdom| In a stunning showcase of endurance, strategy, and sheer willpower, Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa carved her name into the annals of marathon history by setting a new women-only world record at the 2025 London Marathon.
Assefa crossed the finish line in a breathtaking time of 2:15:50, eclipsing the previous record of 2:16:16 set by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir in 2024.
The women’s elite race unfolded with high intensity from the starting gun. A leading quartet — comprising Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands, Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia, and Alemu Megertu, also of Ethiopia — quickly established dominance, breaking away early from the rest of the field.
True to her trademark racing style, Sifan Hassan tucked in behind the lead pack, conserving energy and studying her competitors.
The leaders maintained a blistering pace, hitting the 10-kilometer checkpoint in 31:16, signaling a potential record-breaking morning in the British capital.
However, as the race progressed, cracks began to appear. Megertu, struggling to keep pace, fell off the group shortly after the 15-kilometer mark.
Meanwhile, Hassan temporarily lost ground, trailing about 20 meters behind the front-runners, but demonstrated resilience by rejoining Assefa and Jepkosgei before the halfway mark.
Passing the halfway point in 1:06:40, it became evident that the day’s contest would come down to a duel between Assefa and Jepkosgei.
Hassan, despite her valiant efforts, slipped 10 seconds behind and continued to lose ground as the kilometers ticked by.
At the 25-kilometer mark, the gap between the front two and Hassan had widened to 26 seconds, and by 30 kilometers, it stretched to over one minute and ten seconds.
Both Assefa and Jepkosgei showed signs of fatigue after crossing the 35-kilometer point, slowing slightly but still moving at a formidable pace.
Running shoulder to shoulder through the 37th kilometer, the tension between the two was palpable.
It was at this crucial juncture that Assefa made her decisive move. With a powerful surge, she pulled away from Jepkosgei, opening an unassailable lead that she would only extend to the finish line.
Crossing the iconic finish line on The Mall, Assefa not only claimed victory but also shattered expectations, setting a new standard in women’s marathon running.
Joyciline Jepkosgei fought valiantly to secure second place, finishing in 2:18:43, while Sifan Hassan, despite her early setbacks, demonstrated remarkable grit to complete the podium in third with a time of 2:18:59.
Tigist Assefa’s performance in London not only underlined her exceptional talent but also highlighted the continued evolution and competitiveness of women’s distance running.
Her new world record stands as a testament to the extraordinary levels of athleticism and tactical acumen on display in today’s marathons.
The 2025 London Marathon will undoubtedly be remembered as a landmark event in sporting history, with Tigist Assefa at the heart of its defining moment.
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