Assefa breaks women-only world record in London Marathon

Tigst Assefa (front) of Ethiopia runs at the 2025 London Marathon in London, Britain, April 27, 2025. (Xinhua)

Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa broke the women-only marathon world record to win the London Marathon on Sunday.

The 28-year-old, who finished second in 2023 behind Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir (then-record 2:16:16), dominated this year's race in Jepchirchir's absence. Assefa held her position in a leading pack of four from the start before surging ahead in the final stage to clinch victory in 2:15:50.