Sullivan Fourth, Paternain Bronze, Vainio Fifth at World Championships Marathon Tokyo

At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, George Mason assistant coach Susanna Sullivan delivered a career-best performance by finishing fourth in the women's marathon, overcoming sweltering conditions and improving significantly from her 58th place finish in 2023 despite a previous kneecap injury. Julia Paternain earned a historic bronze medal for Uruguay, the country's first at the World Championships, in only her second marathon race, moving steadily from 12th midway to finish in 2:27:23 despite uncertainty about her position during the race. Kenya's Peres Jepchirchir won gold in a dramatic sprint finish, narrowly defeating Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa, who took silver. European runner Alisa Vainio achieved a notable fifth place, marking one of the best performances by a European woman in World Championship marathons since 2005 and the best Finnish result ever at the event. These results highlight a competitive field dominated by African-born athletes, with few exceptions breaking through in recent years, including Americans and Europeans. Sullivan's time of 2:28:17 and Paternain's surprising podium finish underscore a mix of redemption and breakthrough performances at this championship.