Sabastian Sawe Breaks Two-Hour Barrier at London Marathon

Kenyan Sabastian Sawe won the 2026 TCS London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first athlete to complete a marathon under two hours in a record-eligible race. The time beat Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 world record by 65 seconds.

Runner's WorldCNNAl Jazeera (website)

Eliud Kipchoge’s 2019 sub-two-hour run was achieved with pacing cars and a flat circuit, so it did not qualify for a world record. Sawe’s London effort therefore marks the first sub-two-hour marathon under open competition conditions, with a deep elite field including Yomif Kejelcha, Jacob Kiplimo and Tamirat Tola.

Sawe breaks two-hour barrier with 1:59:30 world record at London Marathon

Sawe (Kenya) entered as defending champion; Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) debuted and finished second in 1:59:41; Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) took third in 2:00:28; Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) won the women’s race in 2:15:41, a women-only world record.

Sawe breaks two-hour barrier with 1:59:30 world record at London Marathon

The leaders passed 5 km in 14:14, reached half-marathon in 1:00:29, and posted a 13:54 5 km split between 30 km and 35 km. Sawe’s second half was 59:01, the fastest half-marathon recorded in a marathon, and he broke away after 30 km to finish solo.

Runner's World

Sawe averaged 4:33 per mile (13.16 mph). Kejelcha’s 1:59:41 is the fastest marathon debut. Six men ran under the former world record, all setting personal bests. Assefa’s 2:15:41 is nine seconds faster than her 2025 mark but 16 seconds off Paula Radcliffe’s mixed-gender course record.

Euronews

The sub-two-hour performance redefines elite marathon standards, influences training and shoe development, and underscores East African dominance.

CNN

World Athletics said the time awaits ratification. Race officials cited near-perfect weather (11 °C, sunny, slight tailwind) as a factor. Paula Radcliffe said the performance moved the marathon benchmark. The Athletics Integrity Unit reported Sawe underwent 25 anti-doping analyses before the race.

ABC Miami Local 10 WPLG

Commentators highlighted Kenya’s recent doping violations and questioned whether testing was sufficient. Others noted that ultra-light carbon-fiber shoes could distort comparisons with historic times.

The Guardian

Sources list Sawe’s age as 29, 30 or 31 years. Assefa’s achievement is described alternately as a “women-only world record” and simply a “world record” without category clarification.

Euronews

• “I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me.” — Sabastian Sawe, post-race interview

BBC News

• “They help a lot because if it was not for them, you do not feel you are so loved. You feel so happy and strong, and that’s why I can say … what comes today is not for me alone, but for all of us today in London.” — Sabastian Sawe, post-race interview

The Guardian

• “The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running,” — Paula Radcliffe, BBC commentary

ABC Miami Local 10 WPLG

• “I think I was well-prepared because coming to London for the second time was so important to me.” — Sabastian Sawe, BBC Sport interview

The Guardian

World Athletics will ratify the mark. The 2027 Boston Marathon is expected to attract athletes targeting the sub-two-hour barrier, and the World Athletics Council will discuss shoe and pacing rules.

CNN