Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has made history by becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in an official race, clocking 1:59:30 to win the London Marathon on Sunday.
The landmark achievement shattered one of athletics’ most elusive barriers and eclipsed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in 2023.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha followed closely, finishing second in 1:59:41 in his marathon debut, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo took third place in 2:00:28, completing what is being described as one of the greatest marathon finishes in history.
“I am feeling good, I am happy, it’s a day to remember,” Sawe said after the race, celebrating a performance that has redefined the limits of endurance running.
The feat comes years after high-profile attempts to break the two-hour barrier, including Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour run in a controlled setting in 2019, which did not qualify as an official record. Sawe’s achievement, however, was completed under standard competition conditions, marking a historic first for the sport.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa set a new women’s-only world record of 2:15:41, surpassing her previous best set in London last year. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri finished second in 2:15:53, narrowly ahead of compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei, who took third in 2:15:55.
Race organisers credited near-perfect conditions—mild temperatures and light winds—for enabling the record-breaking performances along the course that winds through central London.
Sawe’s triumph is particularly remarkable given that he battled injury late last year and only resumed full training in January. His preparation paid off in spectacular fashion, delivering a performance that many believed would not be achieved under official race conditions in their lifetime.
The Kenyan runner, who trains at high altitude, has consistently called for stricter anti-doping measures and underwent extensive testing ahead of major competitions to affirm his credibility in a sport grappling with integrity concerns.
Sunday’s race also saw victories in the wheelchair events, with Switzerland’s Marcel Hug winning the men’s race for the sixth consecutive time, while compatriot Catherine Debrunner claimed her third straight women’s title.
Sawe’s historic run is expected to redefine marathon running and inspire a new generation of athletes, turning what was once considered impossible into a new benchmark for human performance.
