Records Broken and Lives Change: The Impact of the London Marathon 2025

The TCS London Marathon 2025 will be remembered as a truly historic event. It wasn’t just a day of personal bests and elite victories — it was a day where barriers were broken, lives were honoured, and hope for the future was fuelled by the sheer determination of tens of thousands of runners.

More than just a race, this year’s London Marathon stood as a global movement for change, inspiring life-saving research and charity work across the UK and beyond.

A Historic Race Like No Other

This year’s marathon set new records:

• Over 56,000 runners crossed the finish line, breaking the world record for the most marathon finishers ever — surpassing New York’s record from 2024.
• Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia set a new women’s-only marathon world record with a time of 2:15:50.
• Sabastian Sawe of Kenya triumphed in the men’s race, winning in 2:02:27 — a performance that ranks among the fastest marathon times in history.

Beyond the statistics, the London streets were alive with stories of perseverance, community, and hope.

Running for Research, Running for Life

At the heart of the 2025 London Marathon was a renewed focus on charity and life-saving research. This year’s official Charity of the Year, Pancreatic Cancer UK, showcased just how powerful collective action can be.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, often diagnosed too late for effective treatment. Over 797 people die from pancreatic cancer every month in the UK alone. But thanks to the efforts of TCS London Marathon runners, Pancreatic Cancer UK has been able to fund groundbreaking research into an innovative early detection breath test.

This simple, non-invasive test — costing just £10 to £12 per use — could revolutionise diagnosis and save thousands of lives by identifying pancreatic cancer much earlier, when treatment is more effective.

Through the marathon partnership, Pancreatic Cancer UK raised over £1.9 million to fund this vital research, offering hope where once there was none.

Honouring Lives Lost and Driving Awareness

In a powerful visual tribute, 797 pairs of shoes were placed at Potter’s Field Park ahead of race day — each pair representing a life lost to pancreatic cancer every month in the UK. Adorned with heartfelt messages from loved ones, the display was a stark reminder of the urgency behind their mission.

Participants running for Pancreatic Cancer UK weren’t just fundraising — they were running in memory of mothers, fathers, friends, and even children. Many runners shared emotional journeys, supported by the charity’s training programs and mental health sessions, highlighting that running the marathon was as much about healing as it was about fundraising.

Beyond Race Day: A Global Impact

The 2025 London Marathon once again proved it is not only a world-class sporting event but a force for good. Funds raised this year will power medical research, fund community programs, raise awareness of deadly diseases, and inspire hope for millions.

The marathon also launched campaigns calling on the UK government to prioritise early diagnosis initiatives, proving that the impact of this race will be felt long after the streets of London have cleared.

Inspired by the incredible stories from this year’s London Marathon? You can make a difference too. Explore more amazing charities and find a cause that matters to you.