Latest news with #Sawe
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Tigst Assefa sets women's-only marathon world record at London: still 25 seconds slower than Radcliffe's 2003 mark in mixed race
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa went one-up on the women's-only world record while winning the 45th London Marathon on Sunday. She pulled away from Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya with whom she had set a scorching early pace, and dashed the final couple of kilometres for a famous win. The timing however was 25 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race with men and women starting together. The 28-year-old Assefa, silver medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a double winner at Berlin marathon, clocked 2:15.50 beating the previous women's-only record of 2:16:16 set last year in London by Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir. Jepkosgei, 31, came in second in 2:18.44, while Olympic champion Sifan Hassan was third. She fell back unable to keep up with the sizzling early pace, and was home in 2:19.00. Tigst Assefa celebrates after winning the race with second placed Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei and third Netherlands' placed Sifan Hassan. (Reuters) In the men's event, Sabastian Sawe of Kenya notched his biggest career victory after making a solo breakaway with about 10km left. Nine runners made the leading group before Sawe broke off about 90 minutes into the race and finished in 2:02.27 after kicking at drinks – a bold decision. It was a risky move as Sawe made good time while his rivals slowed down at a drinks station. The Kenyan opted to not take any water despite sultry temperatures. Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder who was making his full marathon debut, was the only runner able to give chase to Sawe but could never get close to erasing the gap. The Ugandan finished about 70 seconds back in second place. Sawe's only previous marathon win came in Valencia in 2024, though he became the fourth straight Kenyan to win London. 'Last year, I did have some problems with the cold,' said Assefa, who was second in the 2024 London race. 'My hamstring tightened up towards the end of the race. This year, the weather suited me really well, and that's why I'm really pleased with the way the race went. I was second here last year, and to win here this year is very special,' she added.
Independent Singapore
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
2025 London Marathon: Sabastian Sawe gets biggest win of his career, Tigst Assefa breaks women's-only world record
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya secured the biggest victory of his career by winning the London Marathon. On the women's side, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa delivered a historic performance, breaking the women-only marathon world record with an impressive run. Men's race highlights Sawe took full advantage of a key moment during the race. When the lead group slowed at a water station, he took his chance and surged ahead, choosing not to stop for a drink even in the heat. His bold decision paid off as he steadily widened the gap between other runners, holding a strong finish with a final time of 2:02:27. Sawe's decision was seen as tactical, for it maintained his lead through the final stretch of the race to claim the biggest win of his career on one of the sport's biggest stages. Furthermore, Jacob Kiplimo, who was making his full marathon debut, showed strong potential by being the only athlete who tried to go after Sawe once he broke away. Despite his effort, the Ugandan athlete couldn't close the gap and finished second. It was an exciting debut for the half-marathon world record holder, as he proved he could compete with the best runners over the full distance. In a social media post, netizens showed their support and said: 'The consistency and strategy were impeccable! Congratulations @sabastiansawe ! 🏆💪🏾 🔥', 'Congrats, what a race!!', 'Incredible congratulations 🙌', and 'Congratulations.. what an incredible run. Loved being there today & see you fly past ! 🥰' Women's race highlights In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa secured her first London Marathon title with a strong performance. She pulled away from former champion Joyciline Jepkosgei in the later stages of the race, showing her resilience, strength, and confidence. Assefa finished the race with a final time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds. This is the fastest time ever recorded in a women-only marathon to date. However, it was 25 seconds slower than Paula Radcliffe's 2003 course record, which was set in a mixed-gender race. Furthermore, Assefa finally claimed the London title after finishing second in both London and the Paris Olympics last year. She made sure the race wouldn't come down to a sprint finish as she broke away from Jepkosgei with just a few kilometres to go, running solo along the River Thames and through central London, crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace. This win added to two Berlin Marathon victories that solidified her place in the sport. Jepkosgei, who won the London Marathon in 2021, finished nearly three minutes behind Assefa in second place, while Olympic champion Sifan Hassan was third. Moreover, Eilish McColgan, the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medallist, made her long-awaited marathon debut and finished eighth. A social media post made by World Athletics stated: 'One to remember 👏' Netizens commented on the post and said: 'Congrats, Tigist 👏👏👏', and 'Incredible to watch!! ✨'
Japan Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Japan Today
Kenyan runner Sawe wins London Marathon after solo breakaway; Asssefa takes women's race
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya reacts after he crossed the line to win the men's race at the London Marathon, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali) By MATTIAS KAREN Running his first major marathon in unusually warm temperatures, Sabastian Sawe made it look easy. The Kenyan runner made a solo breakaway with more than 10 kilometers left and never looked like wavering in the sunshine as he cruised to victory in the London Marathon on Sunday. Sawe pulled away from a leading group of nine runners about 90 minutes into the race and finished in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 27 seconds. Sawe made his move when his rivals slowed down at a drinks station — opting not to take any water despite temperatures that crept toward 18 C as the elite runners were finishing. 'I saw that was my opportunity to push,' Sawe said. 'And I ran well.' So well that the only rival who was able to give chase was Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder who was making his full marathon debut. But Kiplimo was never able to get close to erasing the gap, and the Ugandan finished 70 seconds back in second place. While Sawe is the fourth Kenyan runner in a row to win the men's race in London, he is a relatively new name to the marathon scene. The 29-year-old Sawe's only previous marathon win came in Valencia in 2024. This was his first start in one of the six marathon 'majors' — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City — but it's unlikely to be his last. 'It does give me hope that in the future, the marathon will be so important to me, and be so easy for me,' he said. Sawe said he was a late bloomer as he focused on education in his youth before becoming a full-time runner. 'I think the secret is training well, with discipline and focus, and trusting the process,' he said. Kiplimo's debut had been much anticipated after he shattered the half marathon world record by 48 seconds in Barcelona in February, becoming the first runner to break 57 minutes. Kiplimo said he felt a bit of cramping during the race but was pleased with his performance. 'I'm so excited about what I did today,' Kiplimo said, adding that he realized he didn't have a chance of catching Sawe. 'I knew that Sawe had already left. ... Unfortunately the gap was a little bit big.' In a tight sprint for third place, defending champion Alexander Mutiso of Kenya beat Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands in a photo finish. In the women's race, Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia secured her first London Marathon title after pulling away from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end. Assefa made up for second-place finishes in London and the Paris Olympics last year, finishing in 2:15:50. 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. The weather in London was a lot warmer this year than in 2024, which Assefa said was to her advantage. 'Last year I did have some problems with the cold, my hamstring tightened up toward the end of the race,' Assefa said through an interpreter. 'This year the weather suited me really well.' Assefa adds this win to two previous Berlin Marathon titles. Jepkosgei, the 2021 London winner, was almost three minutes back after tiring near the end. Olympic champion Sifan Hassan fell behind about halway through the race and finished third, 3:10 behind. Six-time Paralympic champion Catherine Debrunner defended her title in the women's wheelchair race for a third London victory, beating her own course record by finishing in 1:34:18 — just two seconds off the world record she set at the Berlin marathon in 2023. American Susannah Scaroni was second and Debrunner's compatriot Manuela Schar third. Defending champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men's wheelchair race after holding off Japanese challenger Tomoki Suzuki. Hug finished in 1:25:25, 44 seconds ahead of Suzuki. Jetze Plat of the Netherlands was third, while eight-time London Marathon winner David Weir of Britain settled for sixth. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The 42
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Kenya's Sawe wins London marathon as Ethiopia's Assefa sets women's world record
ETHIOPIA'S TIGST ASSEFA set a new women's only world record of 2hr 15min 50sec as she won the London marathon on Sunday whilst Kenya's Sabastian Sawe put a star-studded men's field to the sword. For 28-year-old Assefa it was ample compensation for finishing runner-up both in London and the Paris Olympics last year — especially as bitter Dutch rival, the Ethiopia-born Sifan Hassan, finished third. Assefa dropped Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei as the race, played out in blazing sunshine and with thousands lining the route, entered its business end. She came home almost three minutes clear of the Kenyan. Hassan, who beat her in an ill-tempered finish to the Olympic race last year, was well adrift in third. 'I was second last year so to win here this year is very special,' she told the BBC speaking through an interpreter. 'Last year I had trouble with the cold weather and my hamstirng tightened up. 'This year suited me much more and found it a lot easier.' Sawe made the decisive break at a drinks station as they reached the 90 minute mark and he gave Kenya their fourth successive win in the men's race timing 2hr 02min 27sec. Advertisement The 29-year-old, who won the Valencia marathon last December, came home alone ahead of Uganda's world half marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo. Defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao edged Abdi Nageeye for third in a photo finish while four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth. Britain's Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee finished a highly creditable 14th on his debut. 'I am very happy to have won a major marathon,' said Sawe, who won the Valencia marathon last December. 'I was well prepared for this that is why I was so relaxed and confident. 'Now this gives me hope that further success in marathons will come.' There was a Swiss double in the wheelchair category — Marcel Hug and Olympic champion Catherine Debrunner winning the men and women's titles respectively. For Hug, 39, it was his seventh London crown and fifth successive victory. For 30-year-old Debrunner it represented her second consecutive win and third overall. It was not just about the stars though as in a race claimed by the organisers to be the most popular marathon in the world there were plenty running to raise money for charity or because of personal loss. The marathon is the world's biggest single-day fundraising event with over £1.3 billion ($1.72 billion) raised for charity since the first race in 1981. The fathers of Alice da Silva, 9, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, two of the three young girls murdered last July in Southport, northern England, took part in memory of their daughters. They received a video message from United Kingdom Prime Minster Keir Starmer. 'Elsie was my best friend, she was perfect, it's like therapy, it's more than just a race,' said David Stancombe, who watched the race with her last year, whilst Alice's dad Sergio Aguiar said: 'I wanted to do something for her.' Isla, the 18-year-old daughter of three-time London victor Paula Radcliffe, made her debut running for Children with Cancer UK. She was diagnosed with cancer aged 13. The 45th edition of the race was aiming to break a record and become the marathon with the most competitors. There were expected to be more than 56,000 people taking part this year, from the elite field through to those in fancy dress including Sarah Louise Haddock appropriately dressed as a fish. The record number of finishers is 55,646 finishers at last year's New York Marathon. This month's Paris Marathon also had 56,950 starters but fewer finishers. – © AFP 2025
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Finish lines not finish times' at London Marathon
The sun is shining brightly and temperatures are rising as some 56,000 participants take on the 45th edition of the London Marathon. While the female elite race was won by Tigst Assefa in a women's-only world record time, the men's winner Sabastian Sawe completed the 26.2-mile course in a little over two hours and others chase personal bests, crossing the finish line is the main goal for many. Among the tens of thousands taking part for their chosen charities are Julie Barnes and Debra Harrison from Hull. They told BBC London their slogan for the marathon was "finish lines not finish times". Ms Harrison is running for the charity Fit Mums and Friends, while Ms Barnes was lucky enough to get a place through the ballot. They said they had one aim in mind: "Just finish it." Meanwhile, a contingent from Kidney Care UK included the parents and children of people who have benefitted from the charity's services. Cassandra Gilbert-Ward, 35, told BBC London that the charity had supported her family "a lot". She said: "My stepdad was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2020 during Covid, we had no idea there was anything wrong until he was in complete kidney failure." London Marathon 2025: 56,000 runners tackle course after Assefa & Sawe win elite races Assefa sets women's record as Sawe wins men's race Jamie Salmon said she and her partner were running to fundraise for Kidney Care after their two-year-old son received treatment for damaged kidneys. "He will be on lifelong medication and he has since been diagnosed with stage-two kidney disease," she said. "The ward he was treated on at Great Ormond Street was funded by Kidney Care, so it means so much to both of us." She said they were "over the moon" to have raised £13,500 so far. Two protesters attempted to disrupt the race by throwing paint on Tower Bridge. A member of the London Marathon event staff intervened to remove the pair from the path of the men's elite race, which was able to pass unobstructed moments later, the Met Police said. The two were arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance. Warm weather has also presented an extra challenge. Temperatures are due to reach around 22C (72F) in the capital, which will likely make it London's fourth warmest marathon in its history, the warmest being in 2018 when the mercury hit 24.2C (76F). The heat, however, did not stop many achieving personal bests. Among those were army doctors Rhiannon Kirk, who finished in two hours and 55 minutes, and Helena Sexton, who crossed the line in three hours and three minutes. Ms Kirk said: "I got back from Australia two days ago. I loved it, it was really good but the end definitely hurt. "It was my first one so it was obviously going to be a personal best, but yeah I was happy." Ms Sexton, from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, said: "It was really hard in the heat but the atmosphere was amazing. "To be fair there was loads of water stops, we just covered our heads with the water." Also achieving a personal best was Lauren Stockley, from Abergavenny in south Wales. She finished in three hours and two minutes, knocking 12 minutes off her previous best time for a marathon. "It was really good, it was very hot but I thought I hydrated well," the 25-year-old said. "There was a lot of water stations, so I was able to cope with it." This year's London Marathon also saw 103 participants attempt to break 87 Guinness World Records. Among those were Alexander Knox, Jasper Wolley, Ben Littlejohns and Jim Baillie, who were trying to set a new record for the fastest time in a four-person costume. They were dressed as Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine. Other record attempts include the fastest marathon in a firefighter's uniform, dressed as a knight, dressed in a tent, on crutches and fastest male London Marathon runner dressed as a body part. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to BBC iPlayer: London Marathon
