Getting your London Marathon 2025 prediction right will be a challenge since multiple top athletes will try their luck this year!
From Eliud Kipchoge’s quest for a fifth London title to Tigst Assefa’s push for her first, and rising stars like Jacob Kiplimo eyeing breakthrough victories, the 2025 edition promises fireworks.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the route, break down the top contenders, and finish with our expert betting predictions for one of the year’s must-watch marathons.
2025 London Marathon Betting Odds
As expected, Bet365 offers 2025 London Marathon betting odds! For now, we only have the men’s race covered, and here are the prices:
| CONTESTANT | ODDS TO WIN |
|---|---|
| Sebastian Sawe | 3.50 |
| Jacob Kiplimo | 3.50 |
| Tamirat Tola | 3.75 |
| Alexander Mutiso Munyao | 6.50 |
| Eliud Kipchoge | 8.50 |
| Milkesa Mengesha | 9.00 |
| Timothy Kiplagat | 11.00 |
There are plenty of other athletes available, and the women’s race odds should be available at least a day before the London Marathon. We will keep our eyes open and update this section when they are up. Again, Bet365 is the place for odds if you’re outside the US.
Bovada is the best option for US residents. This is one of the few US bookies that cover marathons, so we expect to see odds on the London Marathon available on Saturday, at the latest.
The 2025 London Marathon Route: What to Know
The London Marathon is known for its flat, fast course and iconic city backdrop, making it one of the most popular World Marathon Majors for both elite runners and casual bettors.
The race kicks off in Greenwich Park, with runners starting from multiple zones before merging within the first few miles. Early on, the course winds through residential neighborhoods like Charlton and Woolwich, offering a smooth, slightly downhill start that allows runners to ease into a steady rhythm.
One of the race’s most famous moments comes at mile 12, when runners cross Tower Bridge, cheered on by some of the loudest crowds of the day. From there, the route heads east through Canary Wharf, where the tall buildings can create swirling wind conditions and test mental stamina.
After rejoining the Thames Embankment around mile 22, runners enjoy a scenic final stretch past landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye before turning onto The Mall for a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace.
With minimal elevation gain and a largely paved surface, this is one of the best courses for fast times — ideal for front-runners and record attempts. If you want a detailed breakdown, visit the official map of the London Marathon 2025.
Men’s Favorites – 2025 London Marathon
While some big names won’t be lining up this year—Kenenisa Bekele has withdrawn late from the men’s field, the race is still packed with talent and compelling storylines. The following contestants are most likely to challenge for the 2025 London Marathon.
Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN)
The defending champion returns after his victory in 2024. With a personal best of 2:03:11 from Valencia 2023 and a half marathon victory in Japan this year, Mutiso is among the fastest in the field and will be determined to defend his title.
Jacob Kiplimo (UGA)
Jacob Kiplimo is set to make his marathon debut after a historic run in Barcelona in February, where he shattered the half-marathon world record with a time of 56:41.
As the reigning world cross-country champion, Kiplimo brings elite endurance and racing pedigree, making his move to the full marathon one of the most highly anticipated storylines in this year’s event. While Kiplimo’s physical tools are undeniable, at just 24, it’s his lack of marathon experience that keeps the running world guessing.
Tamirat Tola (ETH)
The reigning Olympic champion, Olympic record holder, and the 2022 world champion, Tola brings a wealth of experience. With a personal best of 2:03:39, he also won the New York Marathon in 2023. In his first race of 2025, it would be a surprise to not see him contend.
Eliud Kipchoge (KEN)
Arguably the greatest marathon runner of all time and a four-time London Marathon winner, Eliud Kipchoge returns aiming for a record-extending fifth title. At 40, he remains a formidable contender thanks to his unparalleled experience and enduring excellence.
Kipchoge made history in 2019 by becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours—clocking 1:59:40 in a specially paced event in Vienna —cementing his legendary status. He proved he’s still got it with a major marathon win in Berlin as recently as 2023.
Sabastian Sawe (KEN)
Sawe made headlines in December 2024 by winning the Valencia marathon and running a 2:02:05, marking the fastest marathon debut in history. He hasn’t raced since, but having shown his immediate comfort at the distance, he could contend.
Abdi Nageeye (NED)
Nageeye, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and reigning New York City Marathon champion, brings a personal best of 2:04:45 from Rotterdam last year and will be looking to challenge the favorites in London.
Alex Yee (GBR)
While not expected to challenge for the podium, Yee – the reigning Olympic triathlon champion – will make his marathon debut in London. Known for his explosive speed over the final run leg in triathlons, Yee’s transition to the full marathon distance has drawn attention and will be one of the more intriguing subplots of race day.
Women’s Elite Favorites – 2025 London Marathon
The women’s London Marathon will be without world record holder Ruth Chepngetich and defending London champion Peres Jepchirchir. However, the field will still be super competitive, with the following athletes most likely to challenge for the podium.
Tigst Assefa (ETH)
Tigst Assefa, the second-fastest woman of all time, clocked an incredible 2:11:53 to win the 2023 Berlin Marathon for the second year running. She followed that with a runner-up finish in London in 2024 and a silver medal at the Olympics in Paris. With her aggressive racing style, she could be poised to go one better on the flat London course this year.
Sifan Hassan (NED)
The reigning Olympic marathon champion, 2023 London and Chicago winner, Hassan boasts a personal best of 2:13:44 and is renowned for her versatility across distances. With great memories of the London course, she will be looking to add to her stellar résumé.
Joyciline Jepkosgei (KEN)
Three times podium finisher and 2021 London Marathon champion, Jepkosgei has a personal best of 2:16:24 and consistently performs well in major marathons. She once broke 6 world records in six months over varying long-distances. It would not be a surprise to see her up there with the leaders again in 2025 on a course she loves.
Alemu Megertu (ETH)
A two-time podium finisher in London—including a personal best of 2:16:34 in 2024—and fresh off a dominant win in Valencia in December, Megertu continues to improve and arrives in London as a serious threat. She’s firmly in the mix among the elite contenders.
London Marathon Betting Tips
Before betting on the London Marathon 2025, I recommend checking out our helpful London Marathon betting tips. These tips can come in handy when you are doing your research for the London Marathon 2025 and future marathons:
1. Check The Weather Forecast
One of the easiest things you can do for London Marathon betting is to check the weather forecast. The weather can be unpredictable in London, with heavy rain or beautiful skies on the day of the marathon.
If you are wagering on any London Marathon prop bets, especially time-based wagers, it is important to know what the weather is expected to be on Sunday, April 27.
2. Know The Course Elevation and Terrain
Betting on any marathon without knowing the elevation and structure of the course is a significant error. Some runners have more success on flat courses, while others can handle drastic elevation changes with ease.
For instance, Bekele commented on how he liked running in the Valencia Marathon because of the flat surface. The London Marathon is considerably flatter than the Boston Marathon, so this race plays to his strengths.
3. Race Strategy
Understanding how runners are planning to approach a race can be helpful for marathon times. Do they like to run with the pace group for most of the race, or do they look to generate a sizable gap early in the race?
Knowing if a runner will be conservative or attack early to achieve a personal best, or world record, is vital information. Depending on the event, runners may have different strategies that their coaches employ.
4. Personal Bests and Recent Performance
Personal bests are a fair measuring stick for determining who the fastest races are in the marathon. However, it’s also important to use this data in conjunction with recent performances.
Did they achieve a personal best five years ago, but are struggling to keep pace in recent marathons? It’s best to avoid runners who are regressing.
5. Past Winners and Results
Before making your London Marathon bets, I recommend checking out previous results of the race. Past success doesn’t always guarantee future success, but like motorsport drivers, there are certain courses where they flourish more than others.
By the Numbers: Quick London Marathon Stats
Whether you’re betting or just following the action, here are some key figures that set the stage for the 2025 London Marathon:
- Course Record (Men): 2:01:25 – Kelvin Kiptum (2023)
- Course Record (Women): 2:16:16 – Peres Jepchirchir (2024)
- Forecasted High Temperature: 68°F (20°C) – Warmer conditions than usual could play a factor in race strategy and finishing times.
- Total Prize Pool: $325,000
- Winners’ Payout (Each): $55,000 – A major incentive in one of the sport’s premier marathons.
- Expected Number of Runners: Over 56,000 – One of the largest fields in global marathon racing.
Previous Winners – London Marathon
| Year | Men’s Winner | Time | Women’s Winner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Alexander Munyao | 2:04:01 | Peres Jepchirchir | 2:16:16 |
| 2023 | Kelvin Kiptum | 2:01:25 | Sifan Hassan | 2:18:34 |
| 2022 | Amos Kipruto | 2:04:39 | Yalemzerf Yehualaw | 2:17:26 |
| 2021 | Sisay Lemma | 2:04:01 | Joyciline Jepkosgei | 2:17:43 |
| 2020 | Shura Kitata | 2:05:41 | Brigid Kosgei | 2:18:58 |
Our Prediction for the 2025 London Marathon
With some notable stars absent, this year’s race opens the door for new champions—and a few surprises.
On the men’s side, defending champ Alexander Mutiso Munyao is a strong favorite, but my pick is Sabastian Sawe. His jaw-dropping debut of 2:02:05 in Valencia suggests he has the raw speed and composure to win big. If he’s healthy and prepares well, he’s the man to beat.
In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa leads a loaded field. After her 2:11:53 Berlin win in 2023 and runner-up finish in London last year, she looks primed to graduate to the top spot. Her aggressive style suits the flat course, and with top rivals out, this could be her moment.
Picks:
- Men’s Winner: Sabastian Sawe (3.50)
- Women’s Winner: Tigst Assefa
With warm conditions and a deep field, expect fireworks—and maybe a surprise or two. Get ready for one of the most exciting races of the year!
Where To Find London Marathon Betting Odds?
US readers who want to bet on the London Marathon should visit Bovada, with the bookmaker due to release odds for the competition.
- Wide-ranging sportsbook and live betting platform
- Top-notch poker room with numerous tournaments
Some European-based online sportsbooks will also offer London Marathon odds in 2025, including Bet365, one of my favorites.
As one of the most well-respected worldwide online bookmakers, Bet365 is a safe site to place your London Marathon bets. You can expect the odds there in the day before the event.
- Live betting available.
- Large sports offering.
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