LONDON—Sweat-soaked and grinning, 56,000 runners tore through the capital’s streets on April 27 for the 2025 London Marathon, a 26.2-mile slog that drew record-breaking crowds despite a blistering heatwave. The mercury nudged 27°C, unseasonably roasting for spring, but it didn’t stop a tidal wave of spectators—estimated at over 800,000—lining the route from Greenwich to The Mall, cheering with pints in hand and homemade signs flapping in the breeze.
The race, now in its 44th year, kicked off under a cloudless sky, with elite runners bolting from the start line in Blackheath. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa stole the women’s race, smashing the women’s-only world record with a time of 2:09:58, her legs a blur as she crossed the finish near Buckingham Palace. On the men’s side, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe clinched victory in 2:04:27, holding off a late surge from marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, who returned to London after a three-year absence but settled for third. British hopes shone too, with Charlotte Purdue leading UK women in 2:24:19, her best marathon yet.
This year’s field was the largest ever, swollen by a surge in charity runners—over 20,000—who raised an estimated £75 million for causes from cancer research to mental health. Runners ranged from first-timers in borrowed trainers to grizzled veterans, some pushing 80, all chasing personal triumphs or just the chance to say they finished. The course, mostly flat but relentless, snaked past Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and Big Ben, with water stations every mile to fend off dehydration in the punishing heat.
Crowds were thicker than ever, spilling onto pavements and packing pubs along the route. Families waved flags, kids screamed encouragement, and volunteers handed out jelly babies to keep runners fueled. Organizers reported no major incidents, though paramedics treated dozens for heat exhaustion, and a few wobbly finishers needed IV drips at the finish line. Wheelchair races, a marathon staple, saw Britain’s David Weir take silver in the men’s event, his 21st London outing.
The event wasn’t just a race; it was a snapshot of grit. A 62-year-old grandmother ran for her late son, a leukemia victim. A firefighter hauled a 20-kilo kit the whole way for a veterans’ charity. Even celebrities joined in—actor Sam Heughan, bib number 52433, crossed the line for Blood Cancer UK, fist-pumping to roars from the crowd.
By dusk, The Mall was a sea of foil blankets and aching limbs, runners collapsing into hugs or guzzling water under the plane trees. Medals gleamed on chests, and stories of the day—blisters, tears, and all—were already being swapped. The 2025 marathon, scorched by heat and fueled by heart, set a new benchmark for what London’s streets can hold.
Official figures confirm 56,012 registered runners, with 55,398 recorded finishers. The race generated £4.2 million in direct economic impact for London, per city estimates. Eight-hour time limits applied, with roads reopening by evening.