At 18:35 today, the number of participants to cross the Finish Line in the TCS London Marathon passed the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon’s total of 55,646 with that tally due to grow further as more participants finish into the evening.
The landmark achievement crowned a record-breaking day of running, racing and charity fundraising in the British capital. It came after Tigst Assefa (ETH) smashed the women-only world record to triumph in the elite women’s race in a time of 2:15:50, and Catherine Debrunner (SUI) broke her own course record to retain her women’s wheelchair crown, stopping the clock at 1:34:18, just two seconds outside the world record she set in Berlin in 2023.
Sabastian Sawe (KEN) became the second-fastest male runner over the London course when he beat a star-studded field on his Abbott World Marathon Majors debut, in a time of 2:02:27. In the men’s wheelchair race, Marcel Hug (SUI) notched up his fifth consecutive victory (in 1:25:25) to complete a Swiss double in the para-athletics events.
Sunday’s marathon masses completed a record-breaking weekend of activity after more than 15,000 young participants competed in the TCS Mini London Marathon, on Saturday, making its 40th edition the biggest since the event started in 1986.
Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said: “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, including this year’s Charity of the Year, Pancreatic Cancer UK.
"The good the TCS London Marathon does is unrivalled. The feeling of this day and the benefits that running gives people can change people’s 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."
Setting off the record number in 2025 were the elite athletes, with much expected of some of the strongest fields ever assembled.
For Assefa, the 2025 race marked a victorious return after just missing out on the TCS London Marathon and Paris Olympic titles in 2024. The Ethiopian triumphed in a two-way tussle with Joyciline Jepkosgei after the pair had shaken off Assefa’s Olympic nemesis, Sifan Hassan.
She strode to the Finish Line on The Mall in front of huge crowds to eclipse Peres Jepchirchir’s record of 2:16:16, set in 2024, and just missing out on Paula Radcliffe’s 2003 course record.
Sawe’s victory was equally impressive as the Kenyan surged away from a men’s field described as the greatest ever assembled to clock the second quickest time in the 45 editions of the race.
The 40-year-old Eliud Kipchoge marked his London return by finishing sixth on his sixth appearance here following a five-year absence.
Eilish McColgan, making her marathon debut, was the first British finisher in the women’s race, running a Scottish marathon record of 2:24:25, beating the time of her mum, Liz, who won the London Marathon in 1996.
Mahamed Mahamed was the best of the British men in ninth, making him the UK Athletics Marathon champion. Reigning Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee was the next Briton home in 14th, running 2:11:08 on his marathon debut.
Debrunner kicked off the elite record-breaking spree as she shaved off more than four minutes from her own course best, retaining the title in 1:34:18.
For full reaction to all the elite races, including quotes and race reports, visit the media resources.
Behind the elites came the masses, as participants of all ages, abilities and backgrounds made their way through the capital’s streets in unprecedented numbers, contending with the warm temperatures to raise money for hundreds of good causes. Among them were a host of celebrities and nearly 100 costume-clad runners aiming for Guinness World Records.
Emmerdale’s Tony Audenshaw was one of the many celebrities to complete the course, the TV soap star participating for the Charity of the Year, Pancreatic Cancer UK, following his wife’s death from the disease last year.
“I'm running for an amazing charity,” he said. “This is a cancer where there's not enough research, but at last they've had a breakthrough. There's hope in a new blood test that should be rolled out in the next five years.”
Ever Present Chris Finill passed under the gantry for the 45th successive time, finishing in 3:15:14, while Shane McGuigan was one of the quickest sports stars of the day, the former boxer running 3:08:17 in honour of his sister who died from bowel cancer, aged 33.
McGuigan spoke for many, saying: “It was brutal, but an amazing experience, such a community out there. It was one of my top five experiences.”
The Body Coach Joe Wicks completed the TCS Mini London Marathon less than 24 hours before crossing the Finish Line on The Mall today. It was his first London Marathon in 10 years. The WWF-UK celebrity supporter, who warmed up thousands of excited children on Horse Guards Parade the previous day, crossed the Finish Line in 5:59:21.
“I ran with my brother and a few other people. I wanted to do it in a very relaxed way,” Joe said.
“I stopped and talked to lots of people and just enjoyed the atmosphere, I also walked quite a bit of the course. I wasn't aiming for a time, it's been an incredible experience.”
Popular TV presenter Helen Skelton completed her fourth London Marathon, finishing in a time of 4:32:31, raising funds for Children with Cancer UK.
She said: “This is a day that makes you smile and it's a privilege to take part. This is the most humbling event in the world. You are cheered on by people you have never met and you don’t want to let them down. I laughed the whole way around, I have whooped the whole way around and have high-fived more people than I can count. It was incredible.”
For more reaction to all the celebrity participants in 2025, including quotes, visit the media resources.
The 2026 TCS London Marathon is on Sunday 26 April 2026. The ballot for entries opened on Friday 25 April and will close on Friday 2 May. Enter the 2026 TCS London Marathon Ballot now.