Repeats, Records and Rising Stars

Tokyo, Boston, and London are in the books for 2025, and gave us a sensational spring to remember

The 2025 Abbott World Marathon Majors season sprung into life in early March and delivered extraordinary performances, from the first flutter of Tokyo ticker tape to the last person across the line in London.

Tokyo

Takele and Kebede Dominate

Tokyo was once again bathed in sunshine as 38,000 runners set off from outside the Metropolitan Government building in Shinjuku. The elite performances set the tone for the season with commanding victories in both the men's and women's races.

Ethiopia's Tadese Takele clinched the men’s title with a time of 2:03:23, outpacing compatriot Deresa Geleta (2:03:51) and Kenya's Vincent Kipkemoi (2:04:00).

Takele, transitioning from a successful steeplechase career, demonstrated his marathon potential on a day when the temperatures played their part, and sliced over a minute off his personal best. Last year’s champion Benson Kipruto, who also claimed a hard-fought bronze medal in the 2024 Olympic Marathon to win the AbbottWMM series, could only manage seventh place.

In the women’s race, defending champion Sutume Asefa Kebede of Ethiopia secured her second consecutive Tokyo Marathon victory, finishing in 2:16:31.

She became the first woman to win back-to-back Tokyo races. Leading from the start, she built over a two-minute lead at the 25km mark and, despite slowing in the latter stages, held on to take top spot in the AbbottWMM series.

Suzuki stays on top & Catherine crushes course record

In the men's wheelchair division, Japan's Tomoki Suzuki defended his title, finishing in 1:19:14. He outpaced China's Luo Xing and Zhang Ying, who completed the race in 1:30:28 and 1:30:57, respectively.

In the women's race, Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner, the Paris 2024 Paralympic marathon gold medalist and defending AbbottWMM series champion, clinched victory with a time of 1:35:56, breaking the course record by 47 seconds. American Susannah Scaroni also surpassed the previous record, finishing second in 1:36:28.

Kebede made it back-to-back wins in Tokyo

Catherine Debrunner opened her 2025 account in style

Tomoki Suzuki retained his Tokyo title

Boston

Sharon Lokedi wins the 2025 Boston Marathon in a new course record

Marcel Hug does it again in Boston

Susannah Scaroni claimed her second Boston victory

Sibling history and speedy Sharon rule the day

The 129th Boston Marathon was one for the history books.

Kenya's John Korir overcame an early fall to triumph in 2:04:45, marking the second-fastest time in the event's history. His victory, alongside his brother Wesley Korir's 2012 win, made them the first siblings to both claim Boston titles.

In the women’s race, Sharon Lokedi of Kenya shattered the course record, finishing in 2:17:22 and denying Hellen Obiri a third consecutive win.

Lokedi's performance underscored her resilience and determination on the challenging course where she was broken late on by Obiri last year.

“I’m always second to her and today I was like: There’s no way,” she said. “I just have to put it out there and fight ‘til the end and see how it goes. I’m so glad I ran that fast and she was right behind me. We all fought and wanted this so bad.”

“I’m always second to her and today I was like: There’s no way.”
Sharon Lokedi

Marcel Hug, meanwhile secured his eighth title in the men's wheelchair division with a time of 1:21:34.

American Daniel Romanchuk and Dutchman Jetze Plat followed, finishing in 1:25:58 and 1:30:16, respectively.

In the women's division, Susannah Scaroni of the USA made a triumphant return, winning in 1:35:20 after missing the previous year's race due to injury.

She was closely followed by Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner (1:37:26) and Manuela Schär (1:39:18).

London

Tigst finally takes the crown

Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa set a new women-only world record on The Mall, completing the marathon in 2:15:50. The former world record holder set the pace in a leading group of four athletes that was down to two by halfway, with Olympic champion Sifan Hassan dropping back and only Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei living with the 28-year old.

Assefa eventually surged ahead into a commanding lead, and took the record from Peres Jepchirchir, who ran 2:16:16 last year.

In the men’s race, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe emerged victorious in 2:02:27, executing a decisive move around the 30km mark that left the rest behind, including eventual second place winner Jacob Kiplimo, making his marathon debut. Sawe’s time is now the second fastest time ever seen in London, behind Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:01:25 in 2023.

Swiss double once again

The London wheelchair races featured dominant performances by Swiss athletes. Marcel Hug claimed his seventh London title in the men's wheelchair race, finishing in 1:25:25. Japan's Tomoki Suzuki secured second place, with the Netherlands' Jetze Plat finishing third.

In the women's race, Debrunner achieved her third London victory in four years, completing the marathon in 1:34:18, shattering the course record by over four minutes.

"It feels unreal," she said. "I never expected to be so quick in London but I was in really good shape, I felt amazing. I got into a good rhythm and had a good men’s group ahead of me which pushed me really well."

She was followed by Susannah Scaroni (1:38:08) and fellow Swiss athlete Manuela Schär (1:41:06).

London also set a new world record for the most marathon finishers in history, welcoming 56,640 runners across the line on a warm day in the UK Capital.

The countdown is now on to the AbbottWMM debut of the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS. Eliud Kipchoge, fifth in London, will be on the start line for what promises to be a momentous day in the history of the series.