Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui claimed victory in the women’s race at the 2025 Great North Run, holding off compatriot Vivian Cheruiyot and Britain’s Eilish McColgan in a thrilling finish on Sunday.
Chepkirui, 34, crossed the line in 1:09:32, five seconds ahead of Cheruiyot, while McColgan, making a late surge, settled for third just 10 seconds adrift of the winner.
“It was really nice but very windy out there,” Chepkirui said after her triumph.
For McColgan, who was competing in her third Great North Run, the target had been to emulate her mother Liz’s past victories. “It was tough conditions today,” the Scot admitted. “We had a headwind for most of the race until the final mile. Times went out of the window early, but the crowds made it a special day.”
In the men’s race, Kenya’s Alex Mutiso, 28, produced a late burst to break clear, winning in 1:00:52. Belgium’s Bashir Abdi finished six seconds behind in second, while defending champion Abel Kipchumba of Kenya placed third, nine seconds adrift. Britain’s Ben Connor was the top home finisher in fourth with 1:02:57.
The wheelchair events also delivered drama. Britain’s Sean Frame, winner in 2021, regained the men’s title with a dominant 49:24, finishing ahead of Simon Lawson (52:38) and Anton Shepherd (54:21). “I was second last year, so I just focused on putting on my best performance today—and it paid off,” Frame said.
Great Britain’s Mel Nicholls powered to victory in the women’s wheelchair race in 1:05:24, finishing comfortably ahead of Italy’s Rita Curuccu (1:22:22). “It was so much fun, though the wind made it tough,” Nicholls said.
Elsewhere in London’s Big Half, Jack Rowe equalled Mo Farah’s record by winning the men’s race for a third time, clocking 1:04:08. Jess Warner-Judd overcame a turbulent year to win the women’s title in 1:10:35, while Paralympic legend David Weir set a new course record in the men’s wheelchair event (46:58), just weeks after a training accident. Eden Rainbow-Cooper claimed the women’s wheelchair crown in 54:31.
