A Changing of the Guard at the 2025 London Marathon

A Changing of the Guard at the 2025 London Marathon

The London Marathon has long served as one of the sport’s most symbolic finishing stretches, the final turn onto the Mall offering not just a race’s end, but often a passing of eras. On Sunday, it happened again.

Sebastian Sawe, a relative newcomer to marathon stardom, took control of the strongest field in race history and crossed the line in 2:02:27. It was the second-fastest time ever recorded on the course and a powerful statement that the future belongs to him, or at least part of it.

Sawe’s decisive moment came near the 20-mile mark, when he hammered out a 4:16 mile that none of his rivals could match. Olympic champion Tamirat Tola faded. Half-marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo, impressive in his debut, lost ground but managed to hold onto second in 2:03:37, a Ugandan national record. Alexander Mutiso outsprinted Abdi Nageeye for third, while Eliud Kipchoge, the sport’s greatest marathoner, finished sixth in 2:05:25.

It was hard not to notice the passing of time on Sunday. Kipchoge, once so untouchable that defeat seemed unthinkable, handled this latest disappointment with quiet acceptance. Two years ago, after finishing sixth in Boston, he had struggled to contain his frustration. This time, after 23 years as a professional and 13 years of marathoning, Kipchoge understood. At 40, his body can no longer produce the magic it once did on command.

The marathon has always been an unforgiving distance. On a day that started ideal 55 degrees with a light breeze — but warmed into the low 60s, Sawe’s strength stood out. Of the ten men who passed halfway in 61:30, he was the only one to produce a negative split, closing in 60:57. It was a move that recalled Kelvin Kiptum’s masterful win on this course in 2023, when he pulled away late and rewrote what was thought possible in the marathon.

Sawe has only run two marathons in his life. His 2:02:05 debut in Valencia last December was the second-fastest debut ever. Now, with his London performance, he joins Kipchoge and Kiptum as the only men to break 2:03 twice. That alone signals how serious a contender he has become, but the way he did it, moving away from champions in brutal fashion, makes an even louder statement.

Sunday’s field was one of the strongest ever assembled: the reigning champions from London, Berlin, New York, and the Olympics, plus Kiplimo, whose half-marathon credentials suggested big things at 26.2 miles. Yet Sawe made them all look mortal, putting more than a minute on the field over the final 12 kilometers.

Meanwhile, Kiplimo’s debut at 24 years old promises a bright future. He was smart early, staying tucked in the pack, and tough late, holding his form to finish second. His body cramped a little after 30 kilometers, but his mindset never wavered. That combination of talent and toughness will serve him well in future races.

The men’s race, however, wasn’t the only one that left a lasting impression.

In the women’s contest, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered another performance for the record books. She broke away after halfway and powered to a 2:15:50 finish, setting a new women-only world record. Her margin of victory was as decisive as her confidence. By the 40-kilometer mark, Assefa was sipping her drink calmly while her rivals fought for second.

Joyciline Jepkosgei held on for second in 2:18:44, despite struggling visibly in the final stages. Sifan Hassan was third with 2:19:00, while Haven Hailu Desse took fourth and Vivian Cheruiyot, at 41 years old, produced a gritty run to finish fifth in 2:22:32.

Assefa’s race was set up early, with aggressive early pacing that reduced the lead pack quickly. At 15 kilometers, Hassan and Megertu Alemu were already feeling the pressure. Alemu would eventually drop out, while Hassan gamely held on until halfway but couldn’t match Assefa’s steady increase in pace.

For her effort, Assefa earned $305,000 in prize money, including bonuses for winning, breaking 2:16:00, and setting the new women-only record. It was a performance that confirmed her status at the very top of women’s marathoning, even in the absence of injured stars like Ruth Chepngetich and Peres Jepchirchir.

For the men, Sawe’s victory raises an interesting debate. John Korir, who has won in both Chicago and Boston over the past six months, also has a strong case to be considered the world’s top marathoner right now. But on Sunday, it was Sawe who delivered under the bright lights of London against the deepest field of the year.