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Sabastian Sawe Breaks 2-Hour Barrier, 1:59:30 Marathon

4/30/2026

36 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Sawe Breaks Two-Hour Barrier

Sabastian Sawe finished the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to run under two hours.
His time beat Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 record of 2:00:35 by 65 seconds.
Sports Minister Salim Mvurya greeted Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with a water-cannon salute and a traditional wreath.
Sawe arrived as the defending Valencia Marathon champion (2:02:05 in 2024) and will meet President William Ruto while planning an autumn race.

Summary

Kejelcha Breaks Two-Hour

Yomif Kejelcha finished second in the London Marathon in 1:59:41, becoming the second runner to break two hours.
He and Sabastian Sawe hit 40 km in 1:53:39, staying 21 seconds ahead of Jacob Kiplimo and posting the fastest 5 km split at 13:42.
Kejelcha previously held the half-marathon world record of 57:30 (Valencia 2024), the short-track mile record (3:47.01) from 2019-2025, and 10,000 m silver medals from the 2019 and 2025 World Championships.

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Sawe Breaks Two-Hour Barrier

Sabastian Sawe finished the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to run under two hours.
His time beat Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 record of 2:00:35 by 65 seconds.
Sports Minister Salim Mvurya greeted Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with a water-cannon salute and a traditional wreath.
Sawe arrived as the defending Valencia Marathon champion (2:02:05 in 2024) and will meet President William Ruto while planning an autumn race.

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