London Marathon 2025: Romesh Ranganathan went in “the abyss” to finish iconic race

The 2025 London Marathon did not quite go to plan for comedian Romesh Ranganathan as he toiled in the testing heat of the English capital over the weekend.

The 47-year-old had been eyeing a sub-five hour attempt for the 26.2-mile course, but the weather conditions on the day made that tough challenge even tougher.

Even so, the League Of Their Own star put in a gritty effort, battling the heat and his own ailments to complete the grueling race in a time of 6:02:28, beating his personal best (6:35:21) set a year earlier.

“I have been to the abyss”

It was certainly a tail of two halves for the comedian – he joked that he felt great during the opening 20km of the run.

“The first half was great and I thought, maybe I am an elite you know? I genuinely felt that in my heart,” he told the Runna Instagram account before reality set in.

“Then the second half happened, and at about kilometre 22 I started to really struggle, then I got this cramp in my calf. I didn’t think I was going to finish it, but I did.”

Ranganathan described the final stages of the marathon as ‘one of the worst things he had ever been through’.

“I have been in the abyss, I have been absolutely in the abyss. They need to do something about the weather, the second half was one of the worst things I have ever been through.”

Alex Yee calls for a rematch

Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee was quick to respond to the Runna post highlighting Romesh’s race. Having finished 14th in the elite category on his marathon debut, Yee requested a rematch at next’s year’s iconic race, having only beaten the comedian by 3:51:20.

Ranganathan, speaking later on his own Instagram account, reviewed his performance and admitted pre-race timing plans went out of the window due to the weather conditions:

“So I’m sorry to say I don’t make the sub 5 I was going for but early on it was clear the conditions weren’t ideal. Proper hot.

“Towards the end both my calves cramped up and I started to feel quite faint. But it’s done. Thank you to each and every one of you who shouted my name. I was too battered near the end to acknowledge everyone but I heard you. Thanks so much to @runna and @a.culling for the training programme.

“And of course thanks to my running partner today @smilingggman. He had to drag me out of a very dark place in the second half and if he wasn’t there I’m not sure I would have finished. What an incredible bloke.

“Thank you to everyone who’s donated to my @teenage_cancer just giving. We’re on £94000 and I can’t believe it. You can still donate if you like and if you can. Really tough day, but it’s done. Thank you to everyone.”