Assefa makes record to win London Marathon

AP, London: 

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia took advantage of the warm weather to earn late for her first London Marathon title on Sunday, setting a record time for a women’s-only race in the process.

Assefa made up for second-place finishes in London and the Paris Olympics last year by beating from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end to finish in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 50 seconds. It was the fastest ever time in a women’s-only marathon – but 25 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race.

Peres Jepchirchir had set the previous women’s only record of 2:16:16 when she won in London last year ahead of Assefa. Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set the overall women’s world record of 2:09:56 at last year’s Chicago Marathon.

The weather in London was a lot warmer this year than in 2024 – with temperaturse nearing 18 C (64F) by the time the elite runners were finishing – which Assefa said was to her advantage.