Tigst Assefa says “there’s no secret to my success” after London Marathon 2026 world-record win

Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa defended her London Marathon title on Sunday, 26 April 2026, finishing in 2:15:41 to lower her own women-only marathon world record, pending World Athletics ratification. She held off three-time Olympic medallist Hellen Obiri and 2021 London champion Joyciline Jepkosgei in a tense final stretch, using her track speed over the last 400 metres to secure back-to-back London victories. Speaking the following day, Assefa attributed her success to hard work and patience, while noting she still has her sights set on the all-time marathon record.