The 2025 World Athletics Championships opened in Tokyo over the weekend, and the Women’s Marathon final was held on Sunday morning. To lessen the heat, the race began 30 minutes earlier than planned, yet humidity remained a challenge as temperatures rose to 28 °C. Ethiopia’s trio of runners led the pack as they left the stadium and embarked on a 41‑kilometre circuit around the Japanese capital.
After more than two hours and twenty minutes of competition, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir re‑entered the National Stadium side by side and accelerated toward the finish line. Assefa, the world‑record holder, initially surged ahead in the final 100 metres, but Jepchirchir summoned a last burst of energy to overtake her rival, crossing the line in 2:24:43—two seconds ahead of Assefa. This result echoed the 2021 Olympics, also staged in the same stadium, where Jepchirchir captured gold. Assefa had narrowly missed first place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Uruguay’s Julia Paternain claimed third place, finishing in 2:27:23. The Women’s Marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships highlighted the remarkable endurance and skill of these elite athletes, with Jepchirchir’s victory demonstrating her exceptional ability to perform under pressure. The race underscored the intense rivalry and camaraderie among the world’s top distance runners, setting the stage for future events. The championships will continue to feature a range of thrilling track and field competitions, with athletes from around the globe vying for medals and recognition.
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