The 2025 TCS London Marathon was a day of pure numbers — and pure magic. Under warm spring skies, 56,640 runners crossed the iconic finish line on The Mall, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of marathon finishers. London reclaimed the crown from New York City, which had set the previous mark just five months earlier.
But while the numbers tell a remarkable story, they barely scratch the surface of what made this year’s event so special.
The London Marathon has always been about more than just speed, and this year’s event proved it.
41 Guinness World Records were broken during the race, highlighting the creativity and determination of its participants.
Among the standout achievements were Zoe Cowell-Jones’s Fastest Marathon in a Mascot Costume (Female) at 3:19:18, and Angus Leckonby’s Fastest Marathon (Male) II1 classification in 3:36:38.
And how could we forget Tigst Assefa with her record-setting 2:15:50, breaking the previous women’s-only world record of 2:16:16 set in 2024 by Peres Jepchirchir.
This dedication to record-breaking isn’t new.
The London Marathon and Guinness World Records have maintained a strong partnership for 18 years, encouraging participants to push boundaries in new and often inventive ways.
Mark McKinley of Guinness World Records put it best: “It’s amazing to see the growth of the TCS London Marathon over the last 45 events. Congratulations to all the runners who took part — you are officially amazing.”
Beyond the finish line, the London Marathon’s record-breaking streak continued.
The event had already made headlines earlier with a staggering 840,318 ballot entries for 2025 — the most for any marathon ever. It speaks volumes about the marathon’s appeal, not just in the UK, but globally, and marks a growing passion for running across demographics.
And it wasn’t just the finishers making headlines.
Over the years, the London Marathon has continually evolved, setting records even during extraordinary circumstances. In 2020, amid the global pandemic, it hosted the largest remote marathon in history with 37,966 participants around the world taking part virtually.
This year’s record-breaking edition captured the heart of what makes the London Marathon so special.
It’s not just about who finishes first or fastest, but about creating space for every runner to chase a personal or even world record. The finish line on The Mall was more than just an ending — it was a moment that reflected the spirit, ambition, and inclusivity that have come to define the London Marathon.
