25K run
{{Short description|Long distance running footrace}}
{{Infobox athletics event
|event= 25K run
|image=
|caption=
|WRmen= Eliud Kipchoge 1:11:08 (2022)
|WRwomen= Ruth Chepngetich 1:16:17 (2024)
}}
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,[https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/kimetto-breaks-25km-world-record-in-berlin Kimetto breaks 25km World record in Berlin]. World Athletics (2012-05-06). Retrieved 2021-03-13. but has since been downgraded to world best status.[https://www.worldathletics.org/records/by-discipline/road-running/25-kilometres/outdoor/men 25K records men]. World Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.[https://www.worldathletics.org/records/by-discipline/road-running/25-kilometres/outdoor/women 25K records women]. World Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. 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.[https://arrs.run/WG_Rec_ENG.htm ARRS World Records]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
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.{{cite web
|title=Jeff Winter
|publisher=Minnesota Distance Running Association
|date=2013
|accessdate=6 March 2021
|url=https://www.cityoflakeshalfmarathon.com/history
}} 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).{{cite web |title=301:Run |publisher=Trail Running Magazine |url=https://trailrunnermag.com/snowball/racing |date=2021 |accessdate=5 March 2021}} As runners prepare for a 100K run, they may do training race steps with a 25K followed by a 50K.{{cite web |url=https://smythchamber.org/hungry-mother-ultra/ |title=Hungry Mother Ultra 25K/50K |date=2021 |accessdate=4 March 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413192634/https://smythchamber.org/hungry-mother-ultra/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://trailrunnermag.com/trail-race-calendar?race_name=&low_range=25&high_range=25&race_km_miles=km&advance_search=SEARCH |title=Race Calendar |publisher=Trail Running Magazine |date=2021 |accessdate=6 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=http://www.belmonteraces.com/index.php/en/ |title=About the Bel Monte Endurance Races |date=2021 |accessdate=6 March 2021}}
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.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/wmcns.htm World Veterans Championships Non Stadia]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/evcns.htm European Veterans Championships Non Stadia]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. Official national championships have been staged by the United States beginning 1933 for men and 1982 for women.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/usa.htm UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS (MEN 1876-1942)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/usaw.htm UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIPS (WOMEN)]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. German-speaking European countries also held national championship races, including Austria,[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/aut.htm Austrian Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. Switzerland,[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/sui.htm Swiss Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. and Germany (both East, West and Unified).[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/gdr.htm East German Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/frg.htm West German Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/ger.htm German Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13. 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.[http://www.gbrathletics.com/nc/tch.htm Czechoslovakian Championships]. GBR Athletics. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
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.[https://arrs.run/HP_CapeAnn25.htm Around Cape Ann 25 km]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. 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.{{cite web |url=https://usatf-25km-championships.runnerspace.com/ |title=USATF Running Circuit—25K |accessdate=6 March 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a27442660/usatf-25k-road-championships/ |title=Emma Bates Caps Three Big Races in 13 Days With 25K Championship Win |accessdate=3 March 2021 |publisher=Runner's World}}[https://arrs.run/HP_OKn25.htm River Bank 25 km]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. Other races include the Youngstown International Peace Race, which was held from 1975 to 1988,[https://arrs.run/HP_Yng10.htm International Peace Race 25 km]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. and the City of Lakes race (now a half marathon) which had a 25K race from 1982 to 2013.[https://arrs.run/HP_COL25.htm City of Lakes Half Marathon]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
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.[https://arrs.run/HP_Ber25.htm Berlin 25K]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. Elsewhere in Germany, the Griesheimer Straßenlauf was created in 1972 as an annual 25K, before converting to a half marathon in 1993.[https://arrs.run/HP_GrieshHM.htm Griesheimer Half Marathon]. ARRS. Retrieved 2021-03-13. The Paderborner Osterlauf, also now a half marathon, was held over 25K from 1961 to 1992.[https://arrs.run/HP_PaderHM.htm Paderborner Osterlauf Half Marathon]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
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.[https://arrs.run/HP_KJ25.htm Kaisaniemen Juoksu 25 km + 9 km (F)]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. The Brněnská 25 in the Czech Republic has been running since 1967,[https://arrs.run/HP_Brno25.htm Brnenska Petadvacitka 25 km]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. and the country's Beh Kolem Hluboke race has been held on over 75 occasions.[https://arrs.run/LongRunR.htm Longest Running Road Races]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. In England, the Mitcham 25K was originally a 15-mile race, then converted to a 25K from 1968 to 2001,[https://arrs.run/HP_Mitch25.htm Mitcham 25K]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. while the Chichester-Portsmouth course from 1932 to 1986 was roughly 25K.[https://arrs.run/HP_CPm25.htm Chichester-Portsmouth 25 km]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13. In Hungary the Pécs-Harkány 25K had been held annually since at least 2000.[https://www.more.arrs.run/raceSeries/4686 Pécs-Harkány ]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
The Stella Royal 25K has been held annually in Durban, South Africa since 1975.[https://arrs.run/HP_Durban25.htm Stella Royal]. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 2021-03-13.
In India, the AIMS-certified{{cite news
|editor=Hugh Jones
|title=Tata Steel Kolkata 25K
|url=https://aims-worldrunning.org/races/10082.html
|website=aims-worldrunning.org
|date=2020
|agency=AIMS Home
|publisher=Association of International Marathons and Road Races
|location=Athens, Greece
|accessdate=14 March 2021
|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20210314145927/https://aims-worldrunning.org/races/10082.html
|archivedate=14 March 2021
}} [https://tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in/ Tata Steel Kolkata 25K] has been labeled a silver-labeled race by the IAAF. The race has been taking place since at least 2014,{{cite web
|title=Race Results 2014
|website=tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in
|location=Kolkata, India
|date=2014
|url=https://tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in/race-results/2014
|accessdate=14 March 2021
|archivedate=14 March 2021
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314144332/https://tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in/race-results/2014
|url-status=live
|language=en
}} 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.{{cite web
|title=Tata Steel Kolkata 25K - Event History
|website=tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in
|location=Kolkata, India
|date=2021
|url=https://tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in/about-event/event-history
|accessdate=14 March 2021
|archivedate=22 October 2020
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022112948/https://tatasteelkolkata25k.procam.in/about-event/event-history
|url-status=live
|language=en
}} The course records were set in 2023 by Daniel Ebenyo (1:11:13) and Sutume Kebede (1:18:47).{{cite news
|editor=Ram Murali Krishnan
|title=Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata
|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/tata-steel-kolkata-25km-kebede-ebenyo
|website=worldathletics.org
|date=2023
|publisher=Association of International Marathons and Road Races
|location=Kolkata, India
|accessdate=17 December 2023
}}
All-time top
- + = en route to longer performance
- Mx = mixed gender race
- Wo = women only race
=Men=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Time !Athlete !Nation !Date !Race !Location !Ref |
|---|
| 1
|1:11:08{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |25 September 2022 |
| 2
|1:11:13 |Kenya |17 December 2023 |Tata Steel Kolkata 25K |Kolkata |{{cite news|title=Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/tata-steel-kolkata-25km-kebede-ebenyo|work=World Athletics|date=17 December 2023|access-date=17 December 2023}} |
| 3
|1:11:18 |Kenya |6 May 2012 |Berlin |{{cite news|title=Kimetto breaks 25km World record in Berlin|url=http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WHM12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=64808|work=IAAF|date=6 May 2012|access-date=6 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508120503/http://www.iaaf.org/Mini/WHM12/News/NewsDetail.aspx?id=64808|archive-date=8 May 2012|url-status=live}} |
| rowspan=2|4
|rowspan=2|1:11:39{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |3 March 2024 |Tokyo |
| Timothy Kiplagat
|Kenya |3 March 2024 |Tokyo |
| 6
|1:11:42{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |3 March 2024 |Tokyo |
| 7
|1:11:47 |Kenya |4 May 2014 |Berlin | |
| 8
|1:11:50 |Kenya |9 May 2010 |Berlin | |
| rowspan=2|9
|rowspan=2|1:11:51{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| Chalu Deso
|Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| rowspan=2|11
|rowspan=2|1:11:52{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| Gabriel Geay
|Tanzania |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| rowspan=2|13
|rowspan=2|1:11:56{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| Kibiwott Kandie
|Kenya |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| 15
|1:12:04{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |8 October 2023 |Chicago |
| 16
|1:12:13 |Kenya |8 May 2011 |Berlin | |
| 17
|1:12:26 |Kenya |17 December 2023 |Tata Steel Kolkata 25K |Kolkata |{{cite news|title=Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/tata-steel-kolkata-25km-kebede-ebenyo|work=World Athletics|date=17 December 2023|access-date=17 December 2023}} |
| 18
|1:12:30{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |29 September 2024 |
| 19
|1:12:31{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |29 September 2024 |
| rowspan=2|20
|rowspan=2|1:12:32{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| Haymanot Alew
|Ethiopia |29 September 2024 |
| 22
|1:12:33{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |29 September 2024 |
| 23
|1:12:43{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| rowspan=2|24
|rowspan=2|1:12:44{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |2 March 2025 |Tokyo |
| Deresa Geleta
|Ethiopia |2 March 2025 |Tokyo |
==Notes==
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:12:44:
- Eliud Kipchoge also ran 1:11:48{{AthAbbr|+}} (2023).
- Abraham Naibei Cheroben also ran 1:12:31 (2015).
- Vincent Kipkemoi also ran 1:12:43{{AthAbbr|+}} (2025).
=Women=
| class="wikitable" |
| Rank
!Time !Athlete !Nation !Date !Race !Location !Ref |
|---|
| 1
|1:16:17{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Kenya |13 October 2024 |
| 2
|1:17:07{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |13 October 2024 |
| 3
|1:18:06{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Netherlands |8 October 2023 |Chicago |
| 4
|1:18:40{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| 5
|1:19:26 |Ethiopia |17 December 2023 |Tata Steel Kolkata 25K |Kolkata |{{cite news|title=Ebenyo and Kebede set world bests for stand-alone 25km in Kolkata|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/tata-steel-kolkata-25km-kebede-ebenyo|work=World Athletics|date=17 December 2023|access-date=17 December 2023}} |
| 6
|1:19:33{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Kenya |13 October 2019 |Chicago |
| 7
|1:19:34{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Kenya |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| rowspan=3|8
|rowspan=3|1:19:36{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| Dera Dida
|Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| Workenesh Edesa
|Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| rowspan=2|11
|rowspan=2|1:19:37{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |4 December 2022 |Valencia |
| Letesenbet Gidey
|Ethiopia |4 December 2022 |Valencia |
| rowspan=4|13
|rowspan=4|1:19:38{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Wo}} |Kenya |21 April 2024 |London |
| Joyciline Jepkosgei
|Kenya |21 April 2024 |London |
| Alemu Megertu
|Ethiopia |21 April 2024 |London |
| Tigist Ketema
|Ethiopia |21 April 2024 |London |
| 17
|1:19:43{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Wo}} |Kenya |23 April 2017 |London |{{cite web|title=London Marathon – Tracking & Results – Participant Details – Keitany, Mary|url=http://results-2017.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2017/?content=detail&fpid=search&pid=search&idp=9999990F5ECC850000252CE0&lang=EN_CAP&event=ELIT&search%5Bsex%5D=W&search%5Bnation%5D=%25&search_sort=name&search_event=ELIT|work=London Marathon|date=23 April 2017|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827043414/http://results-2017.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/2017/?content=detail&fpid=search&pid=search&idp=9999990F5ECC850000252CE0&lang=EN_CAP&event=ELIT&search%5Bsex%5D=W&search%5Bnation%5D=%25&search_sort=name&search_event=ELIT|archive-date=27 August 2017|url-status=live}} |
| 18
|1:19:47{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| 19
|1:19:59{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Uganda |1 December 2024 |Valencia |
| rowspan=2|20
|rowspan=2|1:20:07{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| Almaz Ayana
|Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| 22
|1:20:08{{AthAbbr|+}} |Ethiopia |3 December 2023 |Valencia |
| 23
|1:20:15{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Ethiopia |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| 24
|1:20:27{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} |Tanzania |24 September 2023 |Berlin |
| rowspan=2|25
|rowspan=2|1:20:31{{AthAbbr|+}} |Kenya |3 April 2022 |
| Judith Jeptum
|Kenya |3 April 2022 |
==Notes==
Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:20:31:
- Ruth Chepngetich also run 1:18:03{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2022) and 1:18:06{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2023).
- Sutume Kebede also run 1:18:43{{AthAbbr|+}} (2025), 1:18:47 (2023).
- Tigst Assefa also run 1:19:38{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Wo}} (2024).
- Brigid Kosgei also run 1:19:47{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Wo}} (2024).
- Joyciline Jepkosgei also run 1:20:02{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2023).
- Alemu Megertu also run 1:20:02{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2023).
- Yalemzerf Yehualaw also run 1:19:39{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2024) and 1:20:23{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Mx}} (2024).
- Sheila Chepkirui also run 1:20:28{{AthAbbr|+}} {{AthAbbr|Wo}} (2024).