London Marathon 2025 LIVE: More than 56,000 look to cross the line as Tigst Assefa WINS the women's race to claim record

The Sun

27-04-2025

THE London Marathon is back for another year, as over 56,000 people get ready to run the 26.2-mile circuit.
In the early race, Marcel Hug surged to victory for his seventh title in London in the elite wheelchair race as fellow Swiss Catherine Debrunner displayed equal dominance in the women's race - replicating last year's result.
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa lunged away from the chasing pack to break the women's-only world record, as Brit Paula Radcliffe's women's course record, achieved with male pacemakers, will remain for least another year.
Former Chelsea captain John Terry will run in the London Marathon in 2025, with other ex-footballers Jack Wilshere and Leonardo Bonucci also set to run.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Alex Yee will compete in the 2025 London Marathon, just under 12 months removed from his stunning win in Paris.
Over 56,000 are racing the London Marathon, with the race setting history as the most entered marathon in history.
21 minutes ago By Allan Glen
Women's elite race – update
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa – a silver medallist in Paris 2024 – is nearly there ..
28 minutes ago By Allan Glen
Kelly Brook: 'It's just amazing'
Model Kelly Brook has been speaking while running the marathon.
"It's incredible," she told the BBC. "We are 8k in and the atmosphere is insane. It's really hot so we are trying to stay hydrated.
"It's just amazing. It's like the best of humanity coming together for the most amazing causes and reasons."
31 minutes ago By Allan Glen
Men's elite race – Kipchoge losing ground
Eliud Kipchoge is just starting to lose ground at the front of the men's race.
The 40-year-old has kept with the pace for 90 minutes in what many are calling the greatest field this race has ever seen.
He is the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours (in 2019), and has been a winner four times – a record. He returned today for the first time since 2020.
49 minutes ago By Allan Glen
Thousands join mass race in London
If you're just joining us, here are some of the latest updates:
All races are now underway with Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner – both from Switzerland – again winning the men and women's wheelchair races today.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent a message of support to two fathers whose daughters were killed in the Southport attack and are running today.
Organisers say they expect more than 50,000 to finish the race.
Lucy Jones from Hull is celebrating her 18th by running as the race's youngest competitor in memory of her mum who died when she was nine.
With London's temperatures forecast to rise into the 20s, the conditions could prove challenging for many even over a route that is mostly flat.
Spare a thought for the costumed competitors – not ideal weather for those dressed as microwaves or monkeys.
By Allan Glen
Youngest runner
Lucy Jones from Hull is celebrating her 18th by running as the race's youngest competitor in memory of her mum.
"It is not what many people can do on their 18th birthday," she told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Lucy is running in for Macmillan in memory of her mum Clare, who died when she was nine.
"She raised a lot of money when she was alive," Lucy said. "I am proud to be running in her memory for a charity that means so much to us."
Today, 10:34 By Allan Glen
Debrunner wins women's wheelchair race
Catherine Debrunner from Switzerland has won her third London Marathon with a time of 1:34:18 (her world record – 1:34:16 – survives).
It comes after five Paralympic golds from Paris 2024.
Second place goes to Susannah Scaroni.
Today, 10:26 By Allan Glen
Tributes paid to 2023 winner who tragically passed away
The 2023 men's race was won by Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum, with Brit Sir Mo Farah running his final London marathon and finishing in ninth.
Tragically Kiptum died in February 2024 at the age of just 24.
Commentators have been paying tribute today to the young runner who had the world at his feet.
Today, 10:22 By Allan Glen
Hug wins men's wheelchair race
Marcel Hug, 39, has won his fifth consecutive London Marathon. Runner-up is Tomoki Suzuki.
Today, 10:07 By Allan Glen
Men's elite race – after 10km
Here's how its stands for the men's elite race:
Timothy Kiplagat
Sabastian Sawe
Eliud Kipchoge
Mikesa Mengesha
Alexander Mutiso Munyao
Today, 09:51 By Allan Glen
How to watch the London Marathon
There will be live coverage of today's event on BBC One and BBC Two throughout the day.
At the moment there are two options - the BBC TV coverage and uninterrupted action of the elite race.
Later on you'll be able to watch out for your loved ones on the BBC's fixed cameras on Tower Bridge and the Finish Line.
Today, 09:43 By Allan Glen
Halfway in the men's wheelchair race
Here's how things stand at the moment as the race nears Canary Wharf
Marcel Hug
Tomoki Suzuki
Daniel Romanchuk
Geert Schipper
Sho Watanabe
Today, 09:36 By Allan Glen
And they're off ...
The men's elite race and mass event have now started. Organisers say they hope more than 50,000 people will finish the event this year. Good luck to all ...
Today, 09:35 By Allan Glen
In pictures – London Marathon latest
As we wait for the men's elite and mass event to start, here are some of the latest photographs coming in from London today.
Today, 09:27 By Allan Glen
Updates: Debrunner and Hug out in front
Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug are currently in the front pack for their respective races in the men's and women's wheelchair races.
Lucy Jones from Hull, meanwhile, is celebrating her 18th by running as the race's youngest competitor in memory of her mum.
Britain's Eilish McColgan is also in the front pack in the women's elite race.
Only a few minutes until the men's elite race and the mass event start ... You can follow us here for all the updates and reaction.
Today, 09:15 By Allan Glen
Debrunner in front
Catherine Debrunner has put some space between herself and the rest of the group in the women's wheelchair race.
Catherine took the top spot in the women's wheelchair race last year.
Today, 09:12 By Allan Glen
Women's elite race underway
Denise Lewis has started the women's elite race. You can follow us here for all the latest updates and developments.
Today, 09:01 By Allan Glen
And they're off ...
The gun has been fired to start the wheelchair race.
Denise Lewis, pictured below, is in attendance. As the chair of UK athletics, Denise announced London will be bidding to host the 2026 World Athletics Championships.
Today, 08:44 By Allan Glen
In pictures: runners arrive in London
Runners have started to arrive in the capital this morning ahead of the marathon.
The women's race gets underway in less than 20 minutes (9.05am) with the men's following at 9.35am.
London's temperatures today are forecast to rise into the 20s.
Today, 08:35 By Allan Glen
Jack back
Jack Wilshere is preparing for the marathon less than 24 hours after he took charge of his first game as a manager at Middlesbrough.
The former Arsenal star, 33, was given the Norwich caretaker boss job after the sacking of Johannes Hoff Thorup.
He said: "The charity I'm running for is really close to my heart and when you have that in your mind and are determined to do something, you'll do it. I might be in a bad way, but I'll complete it."
Today, 08:24 By Allan Glen
Prime Minister wishes luck to Southport victim's dads running today's marathon
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has sent a message of support to two fathers whose daughters were killed in the Southport attack as they prepare to run the London Marathon.
Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe entered the race to raise money for projects set up in their daughters' memory.
Alice Aguiar, nine, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Bebe King, six, were killed last July while they attended a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop.
Mr Aguiar told BBC Breakfast it was "good" to have received a message from the PM. "We want to say thank you for all the support," he said.
Bebe's parents, Lauren and Ben King, will both be cheering on from the sidelines as Mr Aguiar and Mr Stancombe run the 26.2 mile route.
Dads of Southport victims run London Marathon
Today, 08:17 By Allan Glen
Last year's winners
Kenyan runner Alexander Mutiso Munyao, pictured below, took home the top spot in the men's elite race in 2024, beating long-distance legend Kenenisa Bekele who came in second.
Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug took the top spots in the women's and men's elite wheelchair races respectively, while Peres Jepchirchir won the elite women's category with a new women's only world record.
Today, 08:13 By Allan Glen
Key facts about the big race – the route
There is a chance to see the sights of the capital on the traditional 26.2-mile course from Greenwich Park, below, to the Mall via Tower Bridge.