The Ethiopian overcomes Helen Obiri’s challenge to break her women-only marathon mark of 2:15:41.
Tigist Assefa emerged victorious in the London Marathon on Sunday morning (April 26) for the second consecutive year, breaking the women’s only world record of 2:15:41 by nine seconds.
The Ethiopian’s surge as she approached the final turn of The Mall saw her win a thrilling battle with Kenya’s Helen Oibiri, who clocked a huge personal best of 2:15:53 ​​on her London debut, and 2021 winner Joycelyn Jepkosgei (2:15:55).
Eilish McColgan was the first British athlete to finish seventh in 2:24:51, beating her Scottish record of 2:24:25 12 months ago.
World bronze medalist Julia Paternein, who runs in Uruguay and grew up in Great Britain, was eighth in 2:25:47, while Britain’s Rose Harvey was ninth in 2:26:14. Louise Small rounded out the British top three in 11th in 2:28:29, with Jess Warner-Judd 12th in 2:29:28.
More to follow…
