Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo announced his arrival on the marathon stage in breathtaking fashion, setting a new national record during his first-ever 42km race at the 2025 London Marathon on Sunday.
The 24-year-old long-distance star crossed the finish line in a brilliant 2:03:37, slicing over a minute off Stephen Kissa’s previous Ugandan best (2:04:48) achieved at the 2022 Hamburg Marathon.
Kiplimo, already famed as the World Half Marathon record holder and reigning World Cross Country champion, delivered a gutsy run to claim second place behind Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe.
Sawe dominated the men’s race, charging ahead after the 31-kilometre mark to seal victory in an astonishing 2:02:27.
By the 35km checkpoint, Sawe had opened up a 22-second lead over Kiplimo, a gap that would only grow as the Kenyan powered his way to a commanding win.
Sawe’s aggressive move left a field packed with legends trailing in his wake, including marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge, defending champion Alex Mutiso, and Olympic gold medalist Tamirat Tola.
Mutiso, although unable to retain his crown, fought fiercely in a thrilling duel for third place.
In a dramatic sprint finish, he edged past the Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye, both men clocking 2:04:20 but Mutiso securing the podium spot by a whisker.
Meanwhile, 40-year-old Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time, placed sixth with a time of 2:05:25 potentially his last competitive outing in London. Kenya’s Hillary Kipkoech (2:06:05) and Germany’s Amanal Petros (2:06:30) completed the top eight.
Uganda’s pride extended to the women’s race, where Stella Chesang delivered a strong performance to finish sixth in 2:22:42. Ethiopia’s Assefa Tigst, however, stole the spotlight, dominating the women’s field with an impressive 2:16:23 to clinch the crown.
Kiplimo’s record-breaking run signals a thrilling new chapter for Ugandan distance running, as the nation’s young talents continue to shine on the global stage.
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