The 2025 World Athletics Championships commenced in Tokyo over the weekend, with the Women’s Marathon final taking place on Sunday morning. In an effort to mitigate the heat, the race started 30 minutes earlier than scheduled, but the humidity still posed a challenge, with temperatures reaching 28 degrees.
Ethiopia’s trio of runners took the lead as the pack exited the stadium, embarking on a 41-kilometer circuit around the Japanese capital. After over two hours and twenty minutes of competition, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir re-entered the National Stadium, neck-and-neck, and accelerated as the finish line came into view.
Assefa, the world record holder, initially took the lead in the 100-meter sprint, but Jepchirchir mustered a last burst of energy to overtake her rival, crossing the finish line with a time of 2:24:43, two seconds ahead of Assefa. This outcome was reminiscent of the 2021 Olympics, also held in the same stadium, where Jepchirchir secured the gold medal. Assefa narrowly missed out on first place at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Uruguay’s Julia Paternain claimed the third position, finishing with a time of 2:27:23. The Women’s Marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships showcased the remarkable endurance and skill of these elite athletes, with Jepchirchir’s victory demonstrating her exceptional ability to perform under pressure. The competition highlights the intense rivalry and camaraderie among the world’s top distance runners, setting the stage for future events. The 2025 World Athletics Championships will continue to feature a range of thrilling track and field events, with athletes from around the globe vying for medals and recognition.
