Sabastian Sawe’s historic run marks the first time anyone has officially completed a marathon in under two hours, achieving this unprecedented feat at the London Marathon on April 26, 2026. Crossing the finish line in an astonishing time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, Sawe not only broke the men’s marathon world record but also improved upon Kelvin Kiptum’s previous record of 2:00:35.
Sawe’s performance stands out as he became the first athlete to run the marathon distance legally under two hours—a milestone that had eluded runners since Eliud Kipchoge’s staged sub-two-hour attempt in Vienna nearly seven years prior. This achievement signifies a pivotal moment in athletic history and showcases the extraordinary capabilities of elite Kenyan athletes.
In addition to Sawe’s remarkable accomplishment, Yomif Kejelcha finished second with a time of 1:59:41, also breaking the two-hour barrier. Jacob Kiplimo secured third place with a finishing time of 2:00:28, which itself surpassed the previous world record. Such performances indicate a new era in marathon running where multiple athletes can achieve extraordinary times.
According to sources present at the event, Sawe maintained an average pace of 4:33 per mile and recorded an average speed of 13.16 mph throughout the race. His second half marathon split was particularly impressive, clocking in at 59 minutes and 1 second—faster than the American record of 59:17.
Sawe expressed his thoughts post-race, stating, “Of course, approaching the finishing line, always there is a lot — it’s a matter of being strong and my mind was ready. Finally, what comes today was good.” He further emphasized that this victory is not solely for him but for all participants in London that day.
The women’s elite race also witnessed a significant achievement; Tigst Assefa won with a time of 2:15:41, breaking her own women’s-only marathon world record. Assefa remarked, “I came into the race wanting to beat my record — I knew I was in good shape,” highlighting her confidence leading up to this momentous occasion.
Having now won all four major marathons he has raced in, Sawe retained his title in London—becoming the first man to do so since Eliud Kipchoge accomplished this feat in both 2018 and 2019. Observers note that this consistency among elite runners may set new expectations for future competitions.
As discussions around Sawe’s achievement continue to unfold, officials have yet to confirm what impact this will have on training regimens and competitive strategies moving forward. Nevertheless, it is evident that both Sawe and his fellow competitors are pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
