2025: THE YEAR IN REVIEW | Marathon & Half Marathon Running

Welcome to the 2025 ultimate wrap-up. This year, the running world witnessed human limits being shattered, the birth of a new World Major, and a mix of historic triumphs and sobering setbacks. From the streets of Barcelona to the final stretch in Central Park, here is everything that defined 2025.

🌍 Elite Global Rankings: The Speed of 2025

Half Marathon

The year was defined by Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda), who made history in February at the Barcelona Half Marathon. He became the first human to break the 57-minute barrier, setting a World Record of 56:42 (a blistering 4:20 per mile pace). Men’s Top 3: Jacob Kiplimo (56:42), Yomif Kejelcha (58:02), and Nicholas Kipkorir (58:23). Women’s Leader: Agnes Jebet Ng’etich topped the world rankings with a 1:03:08.

Full Marathon

Sabastian Kimaru Sawe (Kenya) emerged as the world’s most dominant marathoner, claiming the #1 spot in the World Athletics rankings. Men’s Standouts: Sawe clocked the year's fastest time of 2:02:16 in Berlin. He was followed closely by Jacob Kiplimo (2:02:23 in Chicago) and John Korir (2:02:24 in Valencia). Women’s Standouts: Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) led the world with a 2:14:00 in Valencia. Other top-ranked athletes included Tigst Assefa, Peres Jepchirchir (2:14:43), and Hawi Feysa (2:14:56).

🏆 The World Marathon Majors: The 2025 Season

Historic records fell across four continents. If you are curious about all the winners, you can find those here. Now here is the play-by-play of the seven-race season:

• Tokyo: Tadese Takele (2:03:23) won his first Major, while Sutume Asefa Kebede (2:16:31) became the first woman to win back-to-back Tokyo titles. Read Full Recap

• Boston: John Korir (2:04:45) dominated the hills, while Sharon Lokedi set a massive course record of 2:17:22. Read Full Recap

• London: Sabastian Sawe (2:02:27) won his Major debut. Tigst Assefa (2:15:50) made history with a Women’s-Only World Record. Read Full Recap

• Sydney: In its debut as the 7th Major, Hailemaryam Kiros (2:06:06) and Sifan Hassan (2:18:22) set Australian all-comers records. Read Full Recap

• Berlin: In 80°F heat, Sabastian Sawe (2:02:16) clocked the world lead. Rosemary Wanjiru (2:21:05) won a dramatic sprint finish. Read Full Recap

• Chicago: Jacob Kiplimo (2:02:23) took the crown, while Hawi Feysa (2:14:56) ran the year's fastest women's Major time. Read Full Recap

• New York City: Benson Kipruto won in a photo finish (2:08:09). Hellen Obiri (2:19:51) became the first woman to break 2:20 in NYC. Read Full Recap 

🇺🇸 American Excellence

• Conner Mantz: The new King of U.S. distance. He shattered the American Half Marathon record (59:17) and the 23-year-old Marathon record (2:04:43).

• Weini Kelati: Smashed the American Half Marathon record in Houston (1:06:09).

• Daniel Romanchuk: Showed elite resilience, overcoming a leg blood clot to take 2nd in Boston.

• Susannah Scaroni: Dominated the wheelchair field with a "Redemption Season" sweep of Boston, Sydney, Chicago, and NYC.

🎭 Icons & Special Mentions

• The "Silver Bullet": Marcel Hug achieved a perfect season, sweeping all seven Majors to secure the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XVII crown.

• Eliud Kipchoge: Earned his Six Star Medal in NYC (2:14:36) and announced a 2026 "World Tour" across all seven continents.

• Harry Styles: Running as "Sted Sarandos," the pop star clocked a 2:59:13 in Berlin.

• World Athletics Awards: Sabastian Sawe was named Men's Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year.

⚠️ Scandals & Setbacks

• Doping Ban: Ruth Chepngetich received a three-year ban for HCTZ; her 2:09:56 record remains valid as it predated the violation. Read Details

• Grand Slam Track: Michael Johnson’s league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving up to $50M in unpaid prize money. Read Details

• Romanchuk Injury: Daniel Romanchuk had his season cut short following a collision with a spectator at the Sydney Marathon, forcing his withdrawal from Chicago.

• Course Errors & Cancellations: Cape Town was cancelled due to extreme winds. At the Niagara Falls Marathon, top runners were disqualified after a lead cyclist led them off-course.

• Kish Island Arrests: Race directors in Iran were arrested after women ran without hijabs in an act of civil disobedience. Read Details

📈 Community & Impact

• The "Million Ballot" Milestone: Demand hit a fever pitch as the 2026 London Marathon ballot received a record 1,133,813 applications.

• Philanthropy: The "Big Three" raised $237 million collectively. London alone raised a world-record $111M USD. Charity Impact Report

• Valencia’s "Speed Monopoly": Proved to be the world's fastest course with 38 men under 2:10 and 24 women under 2:25.

• Ageless Running: Gene Dykes (76) shattered the M75 world record in Berlin (3:15:22).

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