Story perspectives

Sawe Breaks Sub-2 Hour Barrier; Assefa Sets Women’s Record

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the 2026 London Marathon in 1:59:30, the first sub-2-hour time in a record-eligible race.
Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:15:41, setting a women-only world record.
Organizers reported about 59,000 participants, with the course running from Greenwich to The Mall before Buckingham Palace.
Actress Cynthia Erivo finished in 3:21:40, crossing the line to “Defying Gravity” and calling the run her meditation.

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Story summary

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the 2026 London Marathon in 1:59:30, the first sub-2-hour time in a record-eligible race.
Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia won the women’s race in 2:15:41, setting a women-only world record.
Organizers reported about 59,000 participants, with the course running from Greenwich to The Mall before Buckingham Palace.
Actress Cynthia Erivo finished in 3:21:40, crossing the line to “Defying Gravity” and calling the run her meditation.