25K run

The 25K run (25 kilometers, approximately 15.52 miles) is a long distance running footrace that is between the distance of a half marathon and a marathon. It was formerly an official world record distance in road running by World Athletics,^[1] but has since been downgraded to world best status.^[2][3] Separately, the Association of Road Racing Statisticians retains world records in the 25K distance. The ARRS holds different standards for records than World Athletics, with exclusions for certain point-to-point races and mixed sex races. As a result its women's world record is 1:26:34 by Nancy Conz, set in 1982.^[4]

Athletics 25K run
World records
Men	Eliud Kipchoge 1:11:08 (2022)
Women	Ruth Chepngetich 1:16:17 (2024)

The distance was more common in the mid-20th century as mass road running was beginning to develop, but began declining with the increased popularity and familiarity of the marathon and half marathon distance. Some former 25K races have transitioned to shorter distances, with which runners and sponsors are more familiar.^[5] In particular, the establishment of the World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in 1992 proved a driver for private races and national championships to switch to the half marathon as the most common distance between the 10K run and the marathon.

However, as trail running and ultra running continue to find larger participant fields, the 25K has become a more common trail race distance (many trail races and ultra races use the metric system).^[6] As runners prepare for a 100K run, they may do training race steps with a 25K followed by a 50K.^[7][8][9]

Competitions

In international competition, the distance has rarely been used. The World Masters Non-Stadia Athletics Championships hosted men's and women's 25K races from 1992 to 1996 and the European Masters Athletics Championships Non Stadia featured men's and women's 25K races in 1991.^[10][11] Official national championships have been staged by the United States beginning 1933 for men and 1982 for women.^[12][13] German-speaking European countries also held national championship races, including Austria,^[14] Switzerland,^[15] and Germany (both East, West and Unified).^[16][17][18] All of these were replaced by national half marathon championships, following the decision to host a world championship at that distance from 1992 onwards. Separately, Czechoslovakia also held several national 25K races in the mid-20th century.^[19]

Many of the longest running 25K races have taken place in the United States. The annual Around Cape Ann 25K in Gloucester, Massachusetts was established in 1933 as a 15-mile race (24.1 km) and has been held at the 25K distance from at least 1976.^[20] The River Bank Run, established 1978 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the most significant race in the nation at this distance and has hosted an official USATF national championship race every year since 1995.^[21][22][23] Other races include the Youngstown International Peace Race, which was held from 1975 to 1988,^[24] and the City of Lakes race (now a half marathon) which had a 25K race from 1982 to 2013.^[25]

Germany has also hosted multiple mass races at this distance. The BIG 25 Berlin, founded in 1980, is among the most significant privately-organised races over the distance, with the current men's world record being set at this competition in 2012.^[1][26] Elsewhere in Germany, the Griesheimer Straßenlauf was created in 1972 as an annual 25K, before converting to a half marathon in 1993.^[27] The Paderborner Osterlauf, also now a half marathon, was held over 25K from 1961 to 1992.^[28]

Elsewhere in Europe, in Helsinki, Finland the Kaisaniemen Juoksu 25K run was established in 1929 and was converted to a standard half marathon in 2012.^[29] The Brněnská 25 in the Czech Republic has been running since 1967,^[30] and the country's Beh Kolem Hluboke race has been held on over 75 occasions.^[31] In England, the Mitcham 25K was originally a 15-mile race, then converted to a 25K from 1968 to 2001,^[32] while the Chichester-Portsmouth course from 1932 to 1986 was roughly 25K.^[33] In Hungary the Pécs-Harkány 25K had been held annually since at least 2000.^[34]

The Stella Royal 25K has been held annually in Durban, South Africa since 1975.^[35]

In India, the AIMS-certified^[36] Tata Steel Kolkata 25K has been labeled a silver-labeled race by the IAAF. The race has been taking place since at least 2014,^[37] but has gain higher status in the late 2010s as greater prize purses were given and faster times were run. Nearly 15,000 runners participate in the event weekend, which includes the 25K and a 10K.^[38] The course records were set in 2023 by Daniel Ebenyo (1:11:13) and Sutume Kebede (1:18:47).^[39]

All-time top

• + = en route to longer performance
• Mx = mixed gender race
• Wo = women only race

Men

Rank	Time	Athlete	Nation	Date	Race	Location	Ref
1	1:11:08+	Eliud Kipchoge	Kenya	25 September 2022	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[40]
2	1:11:13	Daniel Ebenyo	Kenya	17 December 2023	Tata Steel Kolkata 25K	Kolkata	[41]
3	1:11:18	Dennis Kipruto Kimetto	Kenya	6 May 2012	BIG 25 Berlin	Berlin	[42]
4	1:11:39+	Benson Kipruto	Kenya	3 March 2024	Tokyo Marathon	Tokyo	[43]
		Timothy Kiplagat	Kenya	3 March 2024	Tokyo Marathon	Tokyo	[44]
6	1:11:42+	Vincent Kipkemoi	Kenya	3 March 2024	Tokyo Marathon	Tokyo	[45]
7	1:11:47	Abraham Naibei Cheroben	Kenya	4 May 2014	BIG 25 Berlin	Berlin
8	1:11:50	Samuel Kiplimo Kosgei	Kenya	9 May 2010	BIG 25 Berlin	Berlin
9	1:11:51+	Sisay Lemma	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[46]
		Chalu Deso	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[47]
11	1:11:52+	Dawit Wolde	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[48]
		Gabriel Geay	Tanzania	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[49]
13	1:11:56+	Alexander Mutiso	Kenya	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[50]
		Kibiwott Kandie	Kenya	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[51]
15	1:12:04+	Kelvin Kiptum	Kenya	8 October 2023	Chicago Marathon	Chicago	[52]
16	1:12:13	Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio	Kenya	8 May 2011	BIG 25 Berlin	Berlin
17	1:12:26	Victor Kipruto Togom	Kenya	17 December 2023	Tata Steel Kolkata 25K	Kolkata	[53]
18	1:12:30+	Milkesa Mengesha	Ethiopia	29 September 2024	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[54]
19	1:12:31+	Cybrian Kotut	Kenya	29 September 2024	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[55]
20	1:12:32+	Mohamed Esa Huseydin	Kenya	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[56]
		Haymanot Alew	Ethiopia	29 September 2024	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[57]
22	1:12:33+	Stephen Kiprop	Kenya	29 September 2024	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[58]
23	1:12:43+	Kenenisa Bekele	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[59]
24	1:12:45	Paul Malakwen Kosgei	Kenya	9 May 2004	BIG 25 Berlin	Berlin
25	1:12:46+	Sebastian Sawe	Kenya	1 December 2024	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[60]
		Deresa Geleta	Ethiopia	1 December 2024	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[61]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:12:46:

• Eliud Kipchoge also ran 1:11:48+ (2023).
• Abraham Naibei Cheroben also ran 1:12:31 (2015).

Women

Rank	Time	Athlete	Nation	Date	Race	Location	Ref
1	1:16:17+ Mx	Ruth Chepngetich	Kenya	13 October 2024	Chicago Marathon	Chicago	[62]
2	1:17:07+ Mx	Sutume Kebede	Ethiopia	13 October 2024	Chicago Marathon	Chicago	[63]
3	1:18:06+ Mx	Sifan Hassan	Netherlands	8 October 2023	Chicago Marathon	Chicago	[64]
4	1:18:40+ Mx	Tigst Assefa	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[65]
5	1:19:26	Yalemzerf Yehualaw	Ethiopia	17 December 2023	Tata Steel Kolkata 25K	Kolkata	[66]
6	1:19:33+ Mx	Brigid Kosgei	Kenya	13 October 2019	Chicago Marathon	Chicago	[67]
7	1:19:34+ Mx	Sheila Chepkirui	Kenya	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[68]
8	1:19:36+ Mx	Zeineba Yimer	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[69]
		Dera Dida	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[70]
		Workenesh Edesa	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[71]
11	1:19:37+ Mx	Amane Beriso Shankule	Ethiopia	4 December 2022	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[72]
		Letesenbet Gidey	Ethiopia	4 December 2022	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[73]
13	1:19:38+ Wo	Peres Jepchirchir	Kenya	21 April 2024	London Marathon	London	[74]
		Joyciline Jepkosgei	Kenya	21 April 2024	London Marathon	London	[75]
		Alemu Megertu	Ethiopia	21 April 2024	London Marathon	London	[76]
		Tigist Ketema	Ethiopia	21 April 2024	London Marathon	London	[77]
17	1:19:43+ Wo	Mary Jepkosgei Keitany	Kenya	23 April 2017	London Marathon	London	[78]
18	1:19:47+ Mx	Senbere Teferi	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[79]
19	1:19:59+ Mx	Stella Chesang	Uganda	1 December 2024	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[80]
20	1:20:07+	Worknesh Degefa	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[81]
		Almaz Ayana	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[82]
22	1:20:08+	Hiwot Gebrekidan	Ethiopia	3 December 2023	Valencia Marathon	Valencia	[83]
23	1:20:15+ Mx	Helen Bekele	Ethiopia	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[84]
24	1:20:27+ Mx	Magdalena Shauri	Tanzania	24 September 2023	Berlin Marathon	Berlin	[85]
25	1:20:31+	Sharon Chelimo	Kenya	3 April 2022	Paris Marathon	Paris	[86]
		Judith Jeptum	Kenya	3 April 2022	Paris Marathon	Paris	[87]

Notes

Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:20:31:

• Ruth Chepngetich also run 1:18:03+ Mx (2022) and 1:18:06+ Mx (2023).
• Sutume Kebede also run 1:18:47 (2023).
• Tigst Assefa also run 1:19:38+ Wo (2024).
• Brigid Kosgei also run 1:19:47+ Wo (2024).
• Joyciline Jepkosgei also run 1:20:02+ Mx (2023).
• Alemu Megertu also run 1:20:02+ Mx (2023).
• Yalemzerf Yehualaw also run 1:19:39+ Mx (2024) and 1:20:23+ Mx (2024).
• Sheila Chepkirui also run 1:20:28+ Wo (2024).

References

1. Kimetto breaks 25km World record in Berlin. World Athletics (2012-05-06). Retrieved 2021-03-13.
2. 25K records men. World Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
3. 25K records women. World Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
4. ARRS World Records. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
5. "Jeff Winter". Minnesota Distance Running Association. 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
6. "301:Run". Trail Running Magazine. 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
7. "Hungry Mother Ultra 25K/50K". 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
8. "Race Calendar". Trail Running Magazine. 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
9. "About the Bel Monte Endurance Races". 2021. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
10. World Veterans Championships Non Stadia. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
11. European Veterans Championships Non Stadia. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
12. UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN 1876-1942). GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
13. UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS (WOMEN). GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
14. Austrian Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
15. Swiss Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
16. East German Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
17. West German Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
18. German Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
19. Czechoslovakian Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
20. Around Cape Ann 25 km. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
21. "USATF Running Circuit—25K". Retrieved 6 March 2021.
22. "Emma Bates Caps Three Big Races in 13 Days With 25K Championship Win". Runner's World. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
23. River Bank 25 km. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
24. International Peace Race 25 km. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
25. City of Lakes Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
26. Berlin 25K. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
27. Griesheimer Half Marathon. ARRS. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
28. Paderborner Osterlauf Half Marathon. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
29. Kaisaniemen Juoksu 25 km + 9 km (F). Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
30. Brnenska Petadvacitka 25 km. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
31. Longest Running Road Races. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
32. Mitcham 25K. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
33. Chichester-Portsmouth 25 km. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
34. Pécs-Harkány . Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
35. Stella Royal. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
36. Hugh Jones, ed. (2020). "Tata Steel Kolkata 25K". aims-worldrunning.org. Athens, Greece: Association of International Marathons and Road Races. AIMS Home. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
37. "Race Results 2014". tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in. Kolkata, India. 2014. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
38. "Tata Steel Kolkata 25K - Event History". tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in. Kolkata, India. 2021. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
39. Ram Murali Krishnan, ed. (2023). "Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata". worldathletics.org. Kolkata, India: Association of International Marathons and Road Races. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
40. "Kipchoge breaks world record in Berlin with 2:01:09". World Athletics. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
41. "Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata". World Athletics. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
42. "Kimetto breaks 25km World record in Berlin". IAAF. 6 May 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
43. "Benson Kipruto Tokyo Marathon 2024 Result". marathon.tokyo. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
44. "Timothy Kiplagat Tokyo Marathon 2024 Result". marathon.tokyo. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
45. "Timothy Kiplagat Tokyo Marathon 2024 Result". marathon.tokyo. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
46. "Sisay Lemma Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
47. "Chalu Deso Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
48. "Dawit Wolde Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
49. "Gabriel Geay Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
50. "Alexander Mutiso Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
51. "Kibiwott Kandie Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
52. "Kelvin Kiptum 2023 Chicago Marathon Result". chicagomarathon.com. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
53. "Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata". World Athletics. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
54. "Milkesa Mengesha Berlin Marathon 2024 Result". mikatiming.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
55. "Cybrian Kotut Berlin Marathon 2024 Result". mikatiming.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
56. "Mohamed Esa Huseydin Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
57. "Haymanot Alew Berlin Marathon 2024 Result". mikatiming.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
58. "Stephen Kiprop Berlin Marathon 2024 Result". mikatiming.com. 29 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
59. "Kenenisa Bekele Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
60. "Sebastian Sawe Valencia Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
61. "Deresa Geleta Valencia Marathon 2024 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
62. "Ruth Chepngetich 2024 Chicago Marathon Result". chicagomarathon.com. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
63. "Sutume Kebede 2024 Chicago Marathon Result". chicagomarathon.com. 13 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
64. "Sifan Hassan 2023 Chicago Marathon Result". chicagomarathon.com. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
65. "Tigst Assefa Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
66. "Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata". World Athletics. 17 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
67. "Race Results Elite Runners Men Chicago Marathon 2019". Chicago Marathon. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
68. "Sheila Chepkirui Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
69. "Zeineba Yimer Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
70. "Dera Dida Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
71. "Workenesh Edesa Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
72. "Amane Beriso 2022 Valencia Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
73. "Letesenbet Gidey 2022 Valencia Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 4 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
74. "Peres Jepchirchir London Marathon 2024 Result". tcslondonmarathon.com. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
75. "Joyciline Jepkosgei London Marathon 2024 Result". tcslondonmarathon.com. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
76. "Alemu Megertu London Marathon 2024 Result". tcslondonmarathon.com. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
77. "Tigist Ketema London Marathon 2024 Result". tcslondonmarathon.com. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
78. "London Marathon – Tracking & Results – Participant Details – Keitany, Mary". London Marathon. 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 August 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
79. "Senberi Teferi Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
80. "Stella Chesang 2024 Valencia Marathon Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 1 December 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
81. "Worknesh Degefa Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
82. "Almaz Ayana Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
83. "Hiwot Gebrekidan Valencia Marathon 2023 Result". valenciaciudaddelrunning.com. 3 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
84. "Helen Bekele Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
85. "Magdalena Shauri Berlin Marathon 2023 Result". mikatiming.com. 24 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
86. "2022 Paris Marathon – Women's 25km Intermediate Results". rtrt.me. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
87. "2022 Paris Marathon – Women's 25km Intermediate Results". rtrt.me. 3 April 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2023.