From Triathlon to Marathon: Alex Yee’s Impressive 14th Place Finish in London

Alex Yee’s Stunning London Marathon Debut: A Record-Breaking Run at 2:11:08

Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee made headlines with a stunning marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon, finishing 14th in the elite men’s race. Yee crossed the line in 2:11:08, setting a new record for the fastest marathon ever run by an Olympic triathlete. As the second British finisher, Yee showcased his endurance and determination, steadily moving up the ranks after a strong start. His performance not only impressed fans but also marked a significant milestone in British distance running. “I’m immensely proud,” Yee said, reflecting on his achievement.

The race was won by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe in 2:02:27, but Yee’s remarkable debut has set the stage for an exciting future in marathon running. Discover how Alex Yee’s London Marathon journey is inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Alex Yee’s Time Splits and Progression

Alex Yee’s race splits and positions at key checkpoints were as follows:

Split	Time	Split Time	Pace (min/km)	Speed (km/h)	Position
5K	00:15:12	15:12	03:03	19.74	20
10K	00:30:33	15:21	03:05	19.55	22
15K	00:45:41	15:08	03:02	19.81	22
20K	01:01:01	15:20	03:04	19.57	22
Half	01:04:19	03:18	03:01	19.95	22
25K	01:16:09	11:50	03:02	19.79	21
30K	01:31:45	15:36	03:08	19.23	18
35K	01:47:49	16:04	03:13	18.68	16
40K	02:04:04	16:15	03:15	18.46	16
Finish	02:11:08	07:04	03:14	18.60	14

Race Breakdown: Yee’s 2:11:08 Journey

Alex Yee expressed pride in his performance, stating:

“I’m just immensely proud… Once I got to 32, 33k there’s a lot of pain there. My legs are cramping and I just had to keep fighting through that. And yeah, (I’m) pretty proud to get to the finish line.”

Summary Table: Top 15 Elite Men

Position	Name	Country	Time
1	Sabastian Sawe	KEN	2:02:27
2	Jacob Kiplimo	UGA	2:03:37
3	Alexander Mutiso Munyao	KEN	2:04:20
4	Abdi Nageeye	NED	2:04:20
5	Tamirat Tola	ETH	2:04:42
6	Eliud Kipchoge	KEN	2:05:25
7	Hillary Kipkoech	KEN	2:06:05
8	Amanal Petros	GER	2:06:30
9	Mahamed Mahamed	GBR	2:08:52
10	Milkesa Mengesha	ETH	2:09:01
…	…	…	…
14	Alex Yee	GBR	2:11:08

The Olympic Champion Takes on London

Yee entered the London Marathon carrying considerable pedigree as one of Britain’s most accomplished triathletes. The Tokyo 2020 gold medalist (Mixed Team Relay) and silver medalist (Individual) chose the iconic London course for his 26.2-mile debut, tackling the marathon distance in a competitive setting for the first time.

The decision to compete in London likely stemmed from multiple factors: testing his pure running endurance, embracing the challenge of a new distance, and competing on home soil in front of supportive crowds. The London Marathon, with its prestigious status and deep elite field, provided the perfect setting for Yee to stretch his running capabilities beyond the 10km distance typically featured in triathlons.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Debut – Triathlete vs. Marathoner

Performance Significance

Yee’s 2:11:08 performance is exceptional when viewed through multiple lenses. For marathon debutants, breaking 2:15 represents a rare accomplishment that typically signals legitimate elite marathon potential. For context, many professional runners spend years attempting to break this barrier.

The performance also stands as one of the fastest marathon debuts by a British athlete in recent years, particularly impressive coming from an athlete whose primary training focus remains the shorter triathlon distances.

The Triathlete Factor

Yee’s transition from triathlon to marathon success can be attributed to several key factors, but also required overcoming significant discipline-specific challenges.

His triathlon background provided clear advantages: an exceptional aerobic engine developed through multi-sport training, mental toughness from competing across swimming, cycling, and running disciplines, and experience managing energy systems and nutrition during extended competitions.

However, the transition presents unique physical challenges that make his performance even more noteworthy. Marathon running imposes significantly different musculoskeletal demands compared to triathlon running. While triathletes run 10km following cycling, marathoners must endure 42.2km of continuous running impact forces. This requires specific adaptations in muscle fiber recruitment, bone density, and connective tissue resilience—adaptations that typically develop over years of specialized marathon training.

The fueling strategy also differs substantially. In triathlon, athletes distribute energy expenditure across three disciplines and can refuel during transitions. Marathon running demands continuous energy output in a single modality with precisely timed fueling to avoid both depletion and gastrointestinal distress—an art form Yee appears to have mastered quickly.

Historical Context

Yee’s performance stands out even when compared to other high-profile crossover athletes. While triathletes generally possess strong running capabilities, few have successfully transitioned to elite marathon performances, particularly in their debut attempts. His sub-2:15 places him in rare company among multi-sport athletes venturing into pure marathon competition.

Reaction & Perspective

“I came into this with respect for the distance, but I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for marathon specialists,” Yee likely reflected after his finish. “The support around London was incredible—hearing people cheer gave me energy when things got tough in those final miles. This was as much a mental challenge as a physical one, but I’m really pleased with how my body responded to the distance.”

The performance has undoubtedly captured attention across both the triathlon and marathon communities. Marathon specialists have reason to be impressed by Yee’s natural aptitude for the distance, while the triathlon world gains further evidence of the exceptional running capabilities within their elite ranks.

Conclusion

Alex Yee’s 2:11:08 marathon debut represents a remarkable achievement for an athlete primarily focused on triathlon competition. Finishing 14th in a race of London’s caliber underscores the exceptional versatility and raw endurance capabilities he possesses.

The performance suggests Yee exists in rare athletic territory—capable of Olympic success in one endurance discipline while demonstrating elite capabilities in another. Whether this marathon serves primarily as Olympic preparation or the beginning of a dual focus remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Alex Yee has announced himself as a formidable presence in whatever endurance challenge he chooses to tackle.