Jacob Kiplimo Shines on Marathon Debut with National Record at 2025 London Marathon

Although still new to the 26-mile distance, Kenyan Sabastian Sawe stunned the field at the London Marathon, unleashing a breathtaking surge of speed and executing a move that would have impressed even the most seasoned marathon veterans.

Ugandan world half marathon record holder star Jacob Kiplimo delivered a spectacular performance on his full marathon debut, finishing second and breaking the Ugandan national record at the prestigious 2025 London Marathon.

The 24-year-old, already celebrated as the Half Marathon World Record holder and World Cross Country champion, crossed the finish line in an astonishing time of 2:03:37. In doing so, Kiplimo shattered the previous Ugandan national record of 2:04:48 set by Stephen Kissa at the 2022 Hamburg Marathon, lowering it by more than a minute.

Despite the record-breaking run, Kiplimo had to settle for second place, finishing one minute and 10 seconds behind Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe. Sawe, who had already made headlines with his debut win in Valencia, cemented his place as the new force in men’s marathon running by clocking 2:02:27 for a memorable victory in London.

Kiplimo’s stunning debut marks a major milestone in his already glittering career. Known for his dominance on the track and in cross country, he showcased remarkable endurance and tactical intelligence over the 42.195km distance, suggesting even greater performances are ahead.

Speaking after the race, Kiplimo expressed his satisfaction with his debut effort:

It was a big step for me today. Running my first marathon, setting a national record, and finishing second behind a very strong field gives me a lot of confidence for the future.

The 2025 edition of the London Marathon proved to be a day of historic feats. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, the Olympic silver medallist, won the women’s race in 2:15:50, setting a new women’s-only world record by breaking Peres Jepchirchir’s mark from last year. Assefa surged clear from Joyciline Jepkosgei with 5km to go, claiming her first London Marathon crown after finishing second in 2024.

Meanwhile, double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge – a four-time London Marathon winner – could only manage sixth place, highlighting the arrival of a new generation of marathon stars led by Sawe and Kiplimo.

For Uganda, Kiplimo’s performance signals a bright future in marathon running, adding a new chapter to the nation’s growing reputation in distance running. With Paris 2024 behind him and Los Angeles 2028 ahead, the young Ugandan is poised to become a serious contender on the global marathon stage.

As fans celebrated across Uganda and beyond, the London Marathon once again confirmed its place as one of the sport’s grandest and most thrilling events — and this time, it was Jacob Kiplimo who stole the hearts with his unforgettable debut.