Tigst Assefa Smashes Women-Only Marathon Record at 2025 London Marathon

In a moment destined to live in sporting history, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered a breathtaking performance at the 2025 London Marathon, setting a new women-only marathon world record with a time of 2:15:50.

Assefa’s sensational victory on the streets of London not only reaffirmed her dominance in long-distance running but also shattered the previous women-only record set by Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir in 2024.

The London Marathon, known globally for its vibrant atmosphere and competitive elite field, witnessed its largest-ever turnout this year with over 56,000 runners from across the world.

Amid the sea of athletes, it was Assefa who stole the spotlight. Running under bright, warm conditions that challenged even the best competitors, she executed a near-flawless race.

After maintaining a steady pace through the opening half, Assefa surged ahead at around the 23-mile mark, breaking away from her closest rivals, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei and the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan.

With every stride, Assefa seemed to defy the limits of human endurance, eventually crossing the iconic finish line on The Mall with an expression of sheer triumph.

Tigst Assefa’s journey to marathon greatness is as inspiring as her performance itself. Originally a middle-distance runner, Assefa specialized in the 800 meters and represented Ethiopia at the 2016 Rio Olympics, boasting a personal best of 1:59.24.

However, persistent injuries led her to transition from the track to the marathon. Remarkably, she only began competing in marathons in 2022. Her rise has been meteoric ever since.

In 2023, she stunned the athletics world by breaking the overall women’s marathon record in Berlin, clocking 2:11:53. Now, less than two years later, she has conquered yet another milestone, this time in a women-only race setting.

Technology also played a visible role in Assefa’s performance. She and several top runners sported Adidas’s latest innovation, the £450 Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shoes, which have been making headlines for their ultralightweight design and propulsion technology.

While debates about the influence of so-called “super shoes” continue in the running community, few would argue that Assefa’s incredible physical conditioning, mental toughness, and race strategy were the true keys to her record-breaking triumph.

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Meanwhile, the men’s race at the London Marathon was equally thrilling, with Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe claiming victory on his debut appearance. However, it was clear that Assefa’s historic run was the defining narrative of the day.

Among other highlights, British runner Eilish McColgan made headlines by setting a new Scottish record, and Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee made an impressive marathon debut, delighting local fans.

Charity remained at the heart of the London Marathon spirit, with Pancreatic Cancer UK serving as the official charity of the event. Millions were raised for various causes, adding a layer of meaning to every runner’s effort, from elite athletes to determined amateurs.

For Tigst Assefa, the 2025 London Marathon marks yet another chapter in a rapidly growing legacy. Her record-breaking run serves as a bold reminder that even in a sport steeped in tradition, there is always room for new history to be written.