Assefa wins London Marathon women’s race after late breakaway

LONDON — Tigst Assefa Wins First London Marathon Title

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia emerged victorious in the London Marathon on Sunday, claiming her first title in the prestigious race. Assefa showcased her exceptional running prowess by outpacing Joyciline Jepkosgei towards the end of the marathon.

Assefa crossed the finish line in an unofficial time of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 50 seconds, setting a new record for the fastest time in a women’s-only marathon. However, her time fell short of Paula Radcliffe’s course record of 2 hours, 15 minutes, and 25 seconds set back in 2003 during a mixed race.

Having finished as the runner-up in both the London Marathon and the Paris Olympics last year, Assefa was determined to clinch the top spot this time around. She strategically left Jepkosgei behind in the final kilometers of the race, showcasing her strength and stamina as she navigated the course through central London and along the Thames before crossing the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace.

Jepkosgei, the defending champion from the 2021 London Marathon, trailed behind Assefa by almost three minutes, securing the second position. The third spot on the podium went to Olympic champion Sifan Hassan.

Assefa’s victory in the London Marathon adds to her impressive resume, which includes two previous wins at the Berlin Marathon. Her strategic and dominant performance in this year’s race solidifies her status as a formidable force in the world of marathon running.

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