What's happened
Ethiopian Tigst Assefa and Kenyan Sabastian Sawe won the women's and men's races, respectively, at the London Marathon on April 27, 2025. Assefa set a new women's-only marathon record, finishing in 2:15:50, while Sawe clocked 2:02:27, marking his first major marathon victory.
What's behind the headline?
Performance Highlights
- Tigst Assefa: Achieved a women's-only marathon record of 2:15:50, surpassing the previous record by 26 seconds. Her strategic pacing and decisive moves in the latter stages of the race were crucial for her victory.
- Sabastian Sawe: Finished in 2:02:27, demonstrating remarkable speed, particularly in the final kilometers. His decision to push ahead at a drinks station surprised competitors and proved decisive.
Competitive Landscape
- The races featured strong contenders, including Olympic champions and world record holders, highlighting the depth of talent in marathon running today.
- Assefa's victory marks a significant milestone, as she overcame previous near-misses in major marathons, while Sawe's win adds to Kenya's dominance in the men's event.
Future Implications
- Both athletes are likely to be key figures in upcoming international competitions, with Assefa aiming for further records and Sawe establishing himself as a formidable marathon runner.
What the papers say
According to Al Jazeera, Tigst Assefa's victory was particularly notable as she pulled away from Joyciline Jepkosgei in the final kilometers, finishing with a time that set a new women's-only marathon record. The Guardian highlighted Sawe's unexpected surge at a drinks station, which caught his competitors off guard and allowed him to secure his win. AP News reported that both athletes' performances were celebrated, with Assefa's time being the fastest ever in a women's-only marathon, while Sawe's victory marked his first major marathon win.
How we got here
The London Marathon has a rich history, attracting elite runners globally. This year's event saw Assefa and Sawe emerge victorious, with both athletes showcasing exceptional performances amidst competitive fields.
Go deeper
- What were the key moments in the races?
- How do these wins impact the athletes' careers?
- What records were broken during the marathon?
Common question
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What Happened at the London Marathon and NBA Playoffs on April 27, 2025?
On April 27, 2025, two major sporting events captured the world's attention: the London Marathon and the NBA playoffs. With standout performances and thrilling moments, these events not only showcased athletic excellence but also raised questions about the implications for the athletes involved. Here’s a closer look at the highlights and what they mean for the future of these sports.
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What were the highlights of the London Marathon 2025?
The London Marathon 2025 was a thrilling event, showcasing incredible athleticism and record-breaking performances. From Tigst Assefa's historic win to Sabastian Sawe's unexpected victory, this year's marathon had it all. Here are some key highlights and answers to common questions about the event.
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What Records Were Set in Athletics in 2025?
The world of athletics has seen remarkable achievements in 2025, particularly highlighted by the recent London Marathon. With new records being set and emerging trends in marathon running, fans and athletes alike are eager to learn more about these developments. Below, we explore the standout performances and what they mean for the future of the sport.
More on these topics
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Tigst Assefa Tessema is an Ethiopian long-distance runner and the female marathon world record holder. Her world record time was set during the 2023 Berlin Marathon at 2:11:53. She is a former 800-metre specialist.
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The London Marathon is an annual marathon event held in London, United Kingdom. Founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981, it is typically held in April.
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London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.1 million. London stands on the River...
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Joyciline Jepkosgei is a Kenyan female long-distance runner who competes over distances from 10,000 metres to the marathon. She is the current half marathon world record holder in contests with mixed-gender fields with her personal best of 64:51 minutes,
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Sifan Hassan is an Ethiopian-born Dutch middle- and long-distance runner. She won two gold medals at the 2019 World Championships, in the 1500 metres and 10,000 metres events, becoming the only athlete in history to win both events at a single World Champ
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Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres, Kenya is the world's 48th largest country by total area. With a population of more than 47.6 million people, Kenya is the 29th most populous country.
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Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west and Sudan to
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Jacob Kiplimo is a Ugandan long-distance runner who competes in track running events. He is the 2020 Half Marathon World Champion. He represented his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
He is the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Junior champion. In 2019, he
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.