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Athletics-London Marathon breaks record for largest number of finishers

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 27, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 27, 2026

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Athletics-London Marathon breaks record for largest number of finishers
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London Marathon Breaks Record with Highest Number of Finishers Ever

Historic Achievements at the 2024 London Marathon

Record Number of Finishers

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - The London Marathon broke the record for the highest number of finishers in a marathon, with 59,830 participants completing the course to surpass the mark of 59,226 at last year's New York City event.

Men's Race Highlights

Sabastian Sawe's World Record

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe shattered the world record to become the first man to run the marathon in under two hours, followed by Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, who also breached the two-hour barrier on Sunday.

Official Statement

"To then break the record of the largest number of finishers in the history of marathons underlines the inspirational nature of the London Marathon. We are incredibly proud to have set a new Guinness World Record," said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events.

Women's Race Highlights

Historic Women's Performances

In the women's race, three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes in a single race for the first time ever, as Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa defended her title by shattering her own women's-only world record.

Reporting and Editing

(Reporting by Paras J. Haji in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)

Key Takeaways

  • A Guinness record: 59,830 finishers shattered the previous high of 59,226 set at last year’s NYC Marathon, underscoring the event’s growing mass‑participation appeal.
  • Sabastian Sawe’s 1:59:30 not only took 65 seconds off Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record but marked the first legal sub‑2‑hour marathon in race conditions.
  • Tigst Assefa further cemented her dominance by winning in 2:15:41 — smashing her own women‑only marathon record and making history for a third consecutive year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people finished the 2024 London Marathon?
A record-breaking 59,830 participants finished the 2024 London Marathon.
Which previous marathon held the record for most finishers?
The 2023 New York City Marathon previously held the record with 59,226 finishers.
Who won the men's race at the 2024 London Marathon?
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe won the men's race, breaking the world record and finishing in under two hours.
Was a new Guinness World Record set at the 2024 London Marathon?
Yes, a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of marathon finishers was set in London in 2024.
What historic achievement occurred in the women's race?
Three women ran under two hours and 16 minutes, and Tigst Assefa defended her title by breaking her own world record.

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