London, UK — Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa delivered a commanding performance at the London Marathon on Sunday, successfully defending her title while breaking her own women’s-only world record with a time of 2:15:41.
Coming second, Peres Jepchirchir and third, Joyciline Jepkosgei, both Kenyan athletes, delivered strong performances but were unable to match Assefa’s decisive surge and record-breaking pace.
Assefa surged clear of the elite field in the latter stages of the race, crossing the finish line well ahead of her rivals to cement her dominance in women’s marathon running. Her latest mark improves on the previous women’s-only world record she set in London, further strengthening her reputation as one of the greatest marathoners of her generation.
According to reports from outlets including BBC Sport and World Athletics, the Ethiopian star executed a well-paced race, maintaining a strong tempo before accelerating decisively in the final kilometres to seal victory and the record.
The women’s-only record category applies to races without male pacemakers, making Assefa’s achievement particularly significant in assessing standalone women’s performance. Analysts say her time of 2:15:41 ranks among the fastest ever recorded under such conditions.
Her victory adds to an already remarkable career that includes one of the fastest marathon times in history and major marathon wins, positioning her as a dominant force heading into upcoming global competitions.
Sunday’s race in London also coincided with historic performances in the men’s event, making the 2026 edition one of the most memorable in the marathon’s history, with multiple records falling and new barriers broken.