London Marathon 2025 Sets New World Record For Number Of Finishers.
The 2025 TCS London Marathon made history on Sunday, setting a new world record for the number of finishers despite unusually hot conditions during the event’s 45th edition.
By 18:35 BST, the number of runners who had completed the iconic 26.2-mile course surpassed the previous record of 55,646, set by the New York Marathon in November. With runners continuing to cross the finish line into the evening on The Mall, the final tally is expected to rise even further.
Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, hailed the milestone achievement, saying: “The TCS London Marathon is the world’s greatest marathon, and it is now officially the world’s biggest marathon. It is difficult to put into words the emotions of today.
“The support from the hundreds of thousands lining the streets has been unprecedented and is so important to those participants running for so many good causes. The good the TCS London Marathon does is unrivalled. The feeling of this day and the benefits that running gives people can change lives. We want as many people as possible to share that feeling, so if anyone has been inspired by what they have seen today, now is the time to enter the ballot for the 2026 TCS London Marathon.”
This year’s race also set another record before it even began, with more than 840,000 people applying for the ballot – smashing the previous world record of 578,304 applications set for the 2024 edition. Among UK applicants, 49% were women, and there was a remarkable 105% increase in applications from people aged between 20 and 29.
On the competitive front, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa surged to victory in the elite women’s race, setting a world record for a women-only field. In the men’s race, Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe claimed the title. It was also a Swiss double in the wheelchair events for the second consecutive year, with Catherine Debrunner breaking her own course record in the women’s race and Marcel Hug securing his seventh victory in the men’s event.
Saturday’s Mini London Marathon added to the celebratory atmosphere, with more than 15,000 young runners taking part – making it the largest edition since its inception in 1986.
The 2025 London Marathon has truly been a record-breaking celebration of athletic achievement, community spirit, and inspiration for future generations.
