Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe captured a memorable victory at the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday, producing a dominant performance to claim his first World Marathon Major title.
Sawe crossed the finish line in an impressive time of 2:02:27, pulling clear of a strong field just after the 30-kilometer mark. The 30-year-old, who only made his marathon debut in Valencia late last year, showed tactical brilliance and remarkable stamina as he surged ahead with a searing 4:18 mile, never looking back.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, making his own marathon debut, finished second with a time of 2:03:37, while defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao of Kenya placed third at 2:04:20.
Meanwhile, Kenyan marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as one of the greatest distance runners of all time, had a challenging outing. The 39-year-old finished sixth in 2:05:25, unable to keep pace with the leading group in the final stages. It marks another tough day for Kipchoge, who has been searching for consistent form following a series of mixed results over the past year.
Speaking after his victory, Sawe credited his team and his preparation. “This is a dream come true. London is a historic race, and to win here means everything,” he said. “I knew if I stayed patient and made my move at the right time, I could do something special.”
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa broke the women-only world record, finishing in 2:15:50. Assefa’s late surge left Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:16:24) and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan (2:18:05) battling for the minor podium places.
The 2025 edition of the London Marathon also made history with a record-breaking 56,000 participants, underlining the event’s global appeal and festive atmosphere. Crowds lined the streets from Greenwich to The Mall, cheering not only the elites but also thousands of amateur runners supporting various charities.
Despite Kipchoge’s disappointment, Kenyan athletes once again stamped their authority on one of the world’s biggest marathon stages, signaling a generational shift with stars like Sawe leading the way into a new era.
Image credits: www.letsrun.com
