Kenya’s Sawe Runs 1:59:30, Wins London Marathon in Record Time

Kenyan marathon star Sabastian Sawe has etched his name into athletics history after becoming the first person to complete a marathon in under two hours in an official race, clinching victory at the 2026 London Marathon.

Sawe crossed the finish line in a stunning time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds, shattering the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by his late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.

The 31-year-old delivered a dominant performance, pulling away from his competitors in the closing stages of the race to secure a landmark victory that redefines the limits of human endurance.

Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha also dipped below the historic two-hour mark in his marathon debut, finishing second in 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo placed third with a time just over two hours.

Sawe’s achievement is widely regarded as one of the greatest breakthroughs in long-distance running, surpassing even the unofficial sub-two-hour attempt by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019, which was not recognized due to controlled conditions.

The race, held under favorable weather conditions, saw multiple athletes post record-breaking times, signaling a new era in marathon performance.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa also delivered a standout performance, setting a new women’s-only marathon world record.

Sawe, who remains unbeaten in his marathon career, described the moment as deeply emotional, crediting both his preparation and the energy of the London crowd for pushing him to achieve the historic feat.