The London Marathon 2025, held on Sunday, 27 April 2025, cemented its status as the world’s premier distance running event by breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest number of finishers in a single marathon. This comprehensive guide details the historic performances of the 45th edition, including Tigst Assefa’s women-only world record, Sabastian Sawe’s tactical victory, and the dominant displays in the wheelchair divisions. We explore the full elite leaderboards, regional participation statistics for New Zealand athletes, and the logistical triumphs of an event that hosted over 56,000 finishers. Whether you are analyzing elite splits or looking for inspiration for the 2026 ballot, this article provides the definitive breakdown of the times, standings, and milestones achieved on the iconic route from Blackheath to The Mall.
The 2025 TCS London Marathon was a landmark occasion for global athletics, characterized by near-perfect running conditions and a record-shattering field. A staggering 56,640 participants crossed the finish line, surpassing the previous record held by the 2024 New York City Marathon. In the elite categories, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa stole the headlines by clocking 2:15:50, setting a new women-only world record and further establishing her dominance in the sport. On the men's side, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe showcased elite tactical awareness to secure his first London title in 2:02:27. The wheelchair races saw Swiss dominance continue, with Marcel Hug claiming his seventh London crown and Catherine Debrunner setting a new course record.
- Elite Men's Winner: Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – 2:02:27
- Elite Women's Winner: Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 2:15:50 (Women-only World Record)
- Wheelchair Men's Winner: Marcel Hug (SUI) – 1:25:25
- Wheelchair Women's Winner: Catherine Debrunner (SUI) – 1:34:18 (Course Record)
- Total Finishers: 56,640 (Guinness World Record)
- Ballot Applications: 840,318 (Global Record)
Elite Men's Winner: Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – 2:02:27
Elite Women's Winner: Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 2:15:50 (Women-only World Record)
Wheelchair Men's Winner: Marcel Hug (SUI) – 1:25:25
Wheelchair Women's Winner: Catherine Debrunner (SUI) – 1:34:18 (Course Record)
Total Finishers: 56,640 (Guinness World Record)
Ballot Applications: 840,318 (Global Record)
Elite Men’s Results and Standings
The 2025 men’s elite race was a masterclass in pacing and late-race surges. Sabastian Sawe, making only his second appearance over the marathon distance, broke away from a highly competitive pack at the 32km mark and maintained a blistering pace to finish in 2:02:27. Behind him, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo impressed on his marathon debut, securing second place. The podium was rounded out by the defending champion, Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who edged out Netherlands' Abdi Nageeye in a sprint finish. Legend of the sport Eliud Kipchoge remained competitive throughout, ultimately finishing in sixth place.
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sabastian Sawe | Kenya | 02:02:27 |
| 2 | Jacob Kiplimo | Uganda | 02:03:37 |
| 3 | Alexander Mutiso Munyao | Kenya | 02:04:20 |
| 4 | Abdi Nageeye | Netherlands | 02:04:20 |
| 5 | Tamirat Tola | Ethiopia | 02:04:42 |
| 6 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya | 02:05:25 |
Analysis of Sawe’s Tactical Surge
Sabastian Sawe’s victory was defined by his patience during the first half of the race. By staying within the lead pack through the technical turns of the Isle of Dogs, he preserved enough energy to deliver a 14:15 split between 30km and 35km, a move that effectively ended the contest.
Elite Women’s World Record Performance
Tigst Assefa’s performance in the 2025 London Marathon will go down as one of the greatest in distance running history. Aiming for the women-only world record from the gun, Assefa led a small group that included Joyciline Jepkosgei and Sifan Hassan. Assefa’s final time of 2:15:50 surpassed the previous women-only record set by Peres Jepchirchir in 2024. The race was notable for its aggressive early pace, with the leaders passing the halfway mark in 1:07:32. Assefa’s ability to maintain her form through the final miles along the Embankment was the key to her record-breaking success.
- Record Broken: Women-only Marathon World Record (2:15:50).
- Previous Record: 2:16:16 (Peres Jepchirchir, 2024).
- Runner Up: Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) – 2:18:44.
- Third Place: Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:19:00.
Record Broken: Women-only Marathon World Record (2:15:50).
Previous Record: 2:16:16 (Peres Jepchirchir, 2024).
Runner Up: Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN) – 2:18:44.
Third Place: Sifan Hassan (NED) – 2:19:00.
The Duel with Jepkosgei
Joyciline Jepkosgei remained on Assefa's shoulder until the 35km mark. Assefa’s decisive 5:03 mile split at that point finally broke the Kenyan, allowing the Ethiopian to run the final 7km solo toward the finish line.
Swiss Dominance in the Wheelchair Divisions
The wheelchair categories at the 2025 London Marathon were a showcase of Swiss excellence. Marcel Hug, known as the "Silver Bullet," secured his fifth consecutive London title and seventh overall, finishing in 1:25:25. In the women’s wheelchair race, Catherine Debrunner delivered a spectacular performance, shattering the course record with a time of 1:34:18. Debrunner’s victory was her third in the British capital, winning by nearly four minutes over her nearest competitor.
| Division | Winner | Time | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Wheelchair | Marcel Hug (SUI) | 01:25:25 | 7th London Title |
| Women’s Wheelchair | Catherine Debrunner (SUI) | 01:34:18 | New Course Record |
| Men’s Runner Up | Tomoki Suzuki (JPN) | 01:26:09 | Personal Best |
| Women’s Runner Up | Susannah Scaroni (USA) | 01:38:08 | Podium Regular |
Debrunner’s Record-Breaking Pace
Catherine Debrunner’s average speed over the 26.2-mile course was exceptional. By taking advantage of the downhill sections in the first 5km, she built an early lead that was never threatened, ultimately improving her own standings in the Abbott World Marathon Majors series. .Read more in Wikipedia.
Global Participation and New Zealand Statistics
The 2025 event was the most diverse in the race’s history, with participants representing over 150 different nationalities. For the New Zealand running community, the 2025 London Marathon saw 259 registered participants from Aotearoa making the journey to the UK. This continues a strong trend of Kiwis participating in the Abbott World Marathon Majors. The mass participation start also featured several Guinness World Record attempts, with over 40 new titles being set for various categories, including the fastest marathon dressed as a mascot and the fastest marathon by a non-binary athlete.
- New Zealand Participants: 259 Finishers.
- Oldest Finisher: Mohan Kudchadker (84 years old).
- Youngest Finisher: Lucy Jones (18 years old).
- Gender Split: 55% Male / 45% Female.
New Zealand Participants: 259 Finishers.
Oldest Finisher: Mohan Kudchadker (84 years old).
Youngest Finisher: Lucy Jones (18 years old).
Gender Split: 55% Male / 45% Female.
The "Kiwis in London" Experience
The New Zealand contingent is traditionally one of the most vocal at the pre-race expo at ExCeL London. Many NZ runners participate as part of charity teams, contributing to the record-breaking £70 million raised for various causes during the 2025 event.
Logistics and the Guinness World Record
Achieving 56,640 finishers required a monumental logistical effort from the London Marathon Events team. The introduction of more waves at the Blackheath start and the use of the new "TCS London Marathon App" to manage crowds at the finish on The Mall were critical factors in the event's success. The 2025 race officially became the world's largest marathon, surpassing the participation numbers of New York, Paris, and Berlin. This achievement was officially certified by Guinness World Records on the day following the race.
| Event Metric | 2024 Total | 2025 Total | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Finishers | 53,700 | 56,640 | +5.4% |
| Ballot Entries | 578,000 | 840,318 | +45.3% |
| Fundraising Total | £67M | £73M (est) | +8.9% |
Mass Participant Breakdown by Age and Gender
The 2025 results revealed a significant increase in female participation, which now makes up over 44% of the total field. The age category with the highest number of finishers was the 30-34 bracket for females and the 40-44 bracket for males. These demographics highlight the broad appeal of the marathon as a life milestone for adults across all stages of their careers. The introduction of more inclusive "Non-Binary" categories also saw a record 85 participants, reflecting the race’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in sport.
- Largest Female Category: 30-34 Years (5,309 Finishers).
- Largest Male Category: 40-44 Years (5,274 Finishers).
- Non-Binary Participants: 85 Finishers.
- International Field: 15,000+ runners from outside the UK.
Largest Female Category: 30-34 Years (5,309 Finishers).
Largest Male Category: 40-44 Years (5,274 Finishers).
Non-Binary Participants: 85 Finishers.
International Field: 15,000+ runners from outside the UK.
British Elite Performances and Standings
The 2025 results were also a triumph for domestic British athletics. Mahamed Mahamed was the fastest British male, finishing in 9th place overall with a time of 2:08:52. In the women’s race, Eilish McColgan made a successful marathon debut, finishing 8th in 2:24:25 after overcoming several injury setbacks earlier in the year. Rose Harvey followed closely in 9th place, securing her spot for future international championships. These results demonstrate the growing depth in British distance running at the elite level.
- Top British Male: Mahamed Mahamed (2:08:52).
- Top British Female: Eilish McColgan (2:24:25).
- Top British Wheelchair Male: David Weir (1:34:06).
- Top British Wheelchair Female: Eden Rainbow-Cooper (1:44:49).
Top British Male: Mahamed Mahamed (2:08:52).
Top British Female: Eilish McColgan (2:24:25).
Top British Wheelchair Male: David Weir (1:34:06).
Top British Wheelchair Female: Eden Rainbow-Cooper (1:44:49).
2025 Results FAQ
Who won the London Marathon 2025? Sabastian Sawe won the elite men's race (2:02:27) and Tigst Assefa won the elite women's race (2:15:50).
What was Tigst Assefa's world record time? Assefa set a new women-only world record of 2:15:50.
How many people finished the London Marathon 2025? A world-record total of 56,640 participants crossed the finish line on The Mall.
What were the wheelchair results for 2025? Marcel Hug (1:25:25) and Catherine Debrunner (1:34:18) won the men's and women's wheelchair races respectively.
Who was the fastest British runner in 2025? Mahamed Mahamed was the fastest British male (2:08:52) and Eilish McColgan was the fastest British female (2:24:25).
Where can I find my personal London Marathon results? Individual results can be found via the official TCS London Marathon website or the event app by searching bib numbers or names.
Was Eliud Kipchoge in the 2025 race? Yes, Eliud Kipchoge finished in 6th place with a time of 2:05:25.
Did any New Zealanders run in 2025? Yes, there were 259 finishers from New Zealand in the 2025 edition.
What is the world record for the largest marathon? The 2025 London Marathon holds the record with 56,640 finishers.
When is the 2026 London Marathon? The next edition is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026.
Final Thoughts
The London Marathon 2025 results signify a new era for the event, blending world-class athletic excellence with unprecedented community participation. Tigst Assefa’s record-breaking run and the Guinness World Record for finishers have solidified London’s place as the most significant date on the global running calendar. As the event transitions toward its 46th edition in 2026, the benchmarks set in 2025 for fundraising, inclusivity, and elite performance will serve as the foundation for the next generation of distance runners. Whether you were one of the 259 Kiwis on the course or an armchair fan watching the drama unfold on Tower Bridge, the 2025 race will be remembered as a masterclass in the power of sport to unite a global community.
IMAGE LIST FORMAT: create image for; london-marathon-2025-results.jpg – “Tigst Assefa and Sabastian Sawe celebrating with their winner's trophies on the podium at The Mall in London after the 2025 marathon.”
METAS: META TITLE: London Marathon 2025 Results | World Records & Elite Leaderboard META DESCRIPTION: Explore the official London Marathon 2025 results. Includes Tigst Assefa’s world record, elite men’s standings, wheelchair times, and finisher statistics.