A Changing of the Guard at the 2025 London Marathon

A Changing of the Guard at the 2025 London Marathon

The London Marathon has long served as one of the sport’s most symbolic finishing stretches, the final turn onto the Mall offering not just a race’s end, but often a passing of eras. On Sunday, it happened again.

Sebastian Sawe, a relative newcomer to marathon stardom, took control of the strongest field in race history and crossed the line in 2:02:27. It was the second-fastest time ever recorded on the course and a powerful statement that the future belongs to him, or at least part of it.

Sawe’s decisive moment came near the 20-mile mark, when he hammered out a 4:16 mile that none of his rivals could match. Olympic champion Tamirat Tola faded. Half-marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo, impressive in his debut, lost ground but managed to hold onto second in 2:03:37, a Ugandan national record. Alexander Mutiso outsprinted Abdi Nageeye for third, while Eliud Kipchoge, the sport’s greatest marathoner, finished sixth in 2:05:25.

It was hard not to notice the passing of time on Sunday. Kipchoge, once so untouchable that defeat seemed unthinkable, handled this latest disappointment with quiet acceptance. Two years ago, after finishing sixth in Boston, he had struggled to contain his frustration. This time, after 23 years as a professional and 13 years of marathoning, Kipchoge understood. At 40, his body can no longer produce the magic it once did on command.

The marathon has always been an unforgiving distance. On a day that started ideal 55 degrees with a light breeze — but warmed into the low 60s, Sawe’s strength stood out. Of the ten men who passed halfway in 61:30, he was the only one to produce a negative split, closing in 60:57. It was a move that recalled Kelvin Kiptum’s masterful win on this course in 2023, when he pulled away late and rewrote what was thought possible in the marathon.

Sawe has only run two marathons in his life. His 2:02:05 debut in Valencia last December was the second-fastest debut ever. Now, with his London performance, he joins Kipchoge and Kiptum as the only men to break 2:03 twice. That alone signals how serious a contender he has become, but the way he did it, moving away from champions in brutal fashion, makes an even louder statement.

Sunday’s field was one of the strongest…