Africa-Press – Kenya. Kenyan distance ace Hellen Obiri delivered a scintillating run to smash her personal best, clocking 2:15:53 to finish second at the London Marathon on Sunday.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa stole the headlines with a historic performance, obliterating her own women’s-only world record as she breasted the tape in a blistering 2:15:41.
Assefa shaved nine seconds off her previous mark of 2:15:50, set on the same London course last year.
Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei completed a breathtaking podium sweep, clocking 2:15:55.
Obiri, making her much-anticipated debut on the London course, showcased her growing authority over the marathon distance, adding another stellar chapter to a resume already brimming with elite performances on American soil.
The former world track champion has carved a reputation as a ruthless competitor on the roads, boasting back-to-back victories at the Boston Marathon in 2023 (2:21:38) and 2024 (2:22:37).
She has also reigned supreme twice at the New York City Marathon, conquering the Big Apple in 2023 (2:27:23) and again in 2025, where she stormed to a course record of 2:19:51.
Beyond her victories, Obiri has remained a consistent force at the sharp end of the field, finishing runner-up in Boston 2025 (2:17:14) and New York 2024 (2:24:49).
In the build-up to London, Obiri had already fired a warning shot, claiming victory at the New York Half Marathon with a course record 1:06:33, outkicking compatriot Sharon Lokedi (1:07:10) and Britain’s Megan Keith (1:07:13).
Meanwhile, Jepkosgei returned to familiar territory in London, where she famously struck gold in 2021, cutting the tape in 2:17:43 ahead of Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Ashete Bekere (2:18:18).
A model of consistency on the London streets, Jepkosgei has remained a perennial podium threat, finishing third in 2024 and securing runner-up spots in 2022 and 2025.
