In the 22nd marathon of his career, the 2025 London Marathon, the great Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth, completing the iconic course Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
The long-distance legend from Kenya, who turned 40 last November, was the top finisher in the masters division at the race on Sunday (27 April). He fell less than a minute short of the masters world record of 2:04:15, which was set by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, now aged 42, at the London Marathon last year.
Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the elite men’s race in 2:02:27, followed by Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (2:03:37) – the half marathon world record holder – in second and defending champion Alexander Mutiso Munyao (2:04:20) in third.
Sunday’s race was a positive result for Kipchoge, who had a Although it appears to be nearing its end, Kipchoge’s marathon career is regarded as the. Last March, at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, he struggled to stay with the front pack and finished 10th – his lowest-ever placing at an Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) race. Kipchoge was then selected to represent Kenya at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, but was forced to drop out of the race around mile 19 due to pain in his hip.
At London, though, Kipchoge looked like his old, brilliant self for much of the race. Soon after starting, he positioned himself at the front of the lead pack, right behind the pacers. He remained composed through the halfway point, which he reached in 1:01:31 – setting him up for a 2:03:01 finish – and led the top group for some of the following miles after the final pacer stepped off the course.
Just before the 90-minute mark, the front group of nine started to string out following a surge from Sawe and Hillary Kipkoech. Kipchoge lost contact, but he never backed out fully. Although he was moving in ninth position at the 30km mark, he kept on working in the final 12km to eventually finish in sixth.
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Although it appears to be nearing its end, Kipchoge’s marathon career is regarded as the most impressive of all time. Since his first marathon in 2013, Kipchoge has won 11 AWMM races, broken the world record twice and earned two gold medals in the marathon at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
He is also the fastest man of all time over 26.2 miles, having run a superb 1:59:40 at the What everyones reading to become the first – and still the only – person to break the two-hour barrier. Although the event was not eligible for official records, it was a seismic moment for the world of sport.
Throughout his running career, Kipchoge has had unprecedented success in London. He won the 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 editions of the race, with the 2020 London Marathon – the last time he lined up – being a rare off day which saw him place eighth.
Looking ahead, Kipchoge will shift his focus to this year’s Sydney Marathon Advertisement - Continue Reading Below.
