Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo made a memorable full marathon debut at the London Marathon on Sunday, finishing second behind Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and setting a new Ugandan national record in the process.
The 24-year-old, who holds the world half marathon record, crossed the line in 2:03:37 — a remarkable time that not only shattered the previous national best but also placed him among the fastest debutants in marathon history.
Kiplimo ran a composed race, staying tucked within the leading pack before Sawe made a decisive move just over 10 kilometres from the finish. The Ugandan could not match the Kenyan’s surge but showed great resilience to claim an impressive runner-up spot, more than a minute behind Sawe’s winning time of 2:02:27.
“I am grateful for this experience,” Kiplimo said.
“It was tough, but I am happy to run my first marathon and break the national record. I know I can improve from here.”
The Uganda Athletics Federation hailed Kiplimo’s performance as a landmark moment for the country’s distance running.
“Congratulations to Jacob Kiplimo on his phenomenal marathon debut,” the federation posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Finishing 2nd with a time of 2:03:37 at the London Marathon is an incredible achievement, setting a new national record and a personal best.”
Federation president Dominic Otuchet called it an “inspirational debut” that signals “a new era for Ugandan marathon running.”
Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao, the 2024 London Marathon champion, finished third in 2:04:20 after struggling to respond to the brutal mid-race surges.
There was disappointment, too, for four-time London winner Eliud Kipchoge. The Kenyan great fell off the pace midway and, despite a battling effort, could only manage sixth in 2:05:25.
The men’s elite race had started at a measured tempo, with a large leading group reaching halfway in just under an hour. But the pace changed dramatically after 30km, when Sawe — also making his marathon debut — unleashed a stunning 4:18 mile to open a decisive gap.
Kiplimo, still adapting to the demands of the 42.2km distance, showed impressive maturity and race intelligence to hold his position, resisting pressure from more experienced marathoners.
He returns to Uganda with a silver medal, a new national record, and growing expectations of even greater success in the years ahead.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa produced a dominant performance, winning her first London Marathon title in a women-only world record time of 2:15:50. She finished ahead of Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei (2:18:43) and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands (2:18:59) in a historic result.
