In a performance that has rewritten the boundaries of marathon running, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has become the first athlete in history to complete a marathon in under two hours under official race conditions, winning the 2026 London Marathon in a staggering 1:59:30.
Sawe’s achievement instantly became the defining moment of the event, as he shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum in 2023. His run not only secured victory but also broke one of the most elusive barriers in endurance sport—the mythical sub-two-hour marathon mark. Behind him, the race turned into an extraordinary showcase of elite performance. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha also made history by finishing second in 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo completed the podium in 2:00:28, all three runners finishing under the previous world record time.
Race analysts described the event as the fastest marathon ever staged, with ideal pacing, favourable weather conditions, and a world-class field pushing the limits of human endurance. Sawe, already regarded as one of the sport’s most consistent performers, executed a controlled but explosive final phase to pull away from his rivals in the closing kilometres.
The victory further cements Sawe’s dominance in marathon racing. He has now won all of his major marathon appearances, including previous victories in London and Berlin, and continues to be one of the most formidable long-distance runners of his generation.
The 2026 London Marathon itself will be remembered not only for Sawe’s historic breakthrough but also for a wider wave of record-breaking performances across both men’s and women’s races, marking it as one of the greatest editions in the event’s history. Sawe’s sub-two-hour run has now moved from theoretical possibility to sporting reality, setting a new benchmark that will redefine marathon aspirations for years to come.
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