Women-Only marathon World Record progression
N.B. list commences from the first time a women-only marathon was held, the 1973 Women’s Marathon held in Waldniel, Germany.
1973 – Christa Vahlensieck – 2:59:25.6 – Adidas SL 72
1974 – Liane Winter – 2:50:31.4 – EB Lydiard Road Runner
1976 – Christa Vahlensieck – 2:40:29 – EB Lydiard Marathon
1978 – Christa Vahlensieck – 2:38:33 – Patrick Ile de France
1979 – Joyce Smith – 2:36:27 – Puma Top Runner
1980 – Lorraine Moller – 2:35:11 – Nike Mariah
1980 – Joyce Smith – 2:30:27 – Puma Supersonic
1983 – Carey May – 2:29:23 – Nike Terra T/C
1983 – Julie Brown – 2:26:26 – Adidas Atlanta
1984 – Joan Benoit – 2:24:52 – Nike Skylon Racer
1988 – Lisa Ondieki – 2:23:51 – Nike Mariah
1998 – Naoko Takahashi – 2:21:47 – ASICS Sortie
2002 – Paula Radcliffe – 2:18:55 – Nike Air Streak Ekiden V
2005 – Paula Radcliffe – 2:17:42 – London Marathon – Nike Air Zoom Marathoner
2017 – Mary Keitany – 2:17:01 – London Marathon – Adidas Takumi Sen Boost 3
2024 – Peres Jepchirchir – 2:16:16 – London Marathon – Adidas AdiZero Adios Pro Evo 1
2025 – Tigst Assefa – 2:15:50 – London Marathon – Adidas AdiZero Adios Pro Evo 1 V2