NAIROBI, Kenya — Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge has hailed the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon in an official race as a defining moment for athletics, describing it as a “historical day for marathon running.”
Kipchoge’s remarks followed a record-breaking performance by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe at the London Marathon, where he clocked 1:59:30 to become the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier in a competitive race.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha also reportedly dipped below the mark, marking an unprecedented milestone in distance running.
“My deepest congratulations to both Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha,” Kipchoge said in a statement, noting that the achievement signals a new chapter in the sport.
The former world record holder said the sub-two-hour marathon had long been a dream for runners worldwide and that the performances in London had turned that aspiration into reality.
“For years, athletes have pursued this goal believing it was possible. Today proves that belief, discipline, and progress can push human limits further than ever before,” he said.
Kipchoge also reflected on his own groundbreaking run at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, where he became the first man to complete the marathon distance in under two hours, albeit under controlled, non-competitive conditions.
He said the Vienna exhibition was designed to demonstrate the possibility rather than set an official record, expressing satisfaction that the barrier has now been broken in a standard race environment.
“That run was meant to show the world that no human is limited. I hoped one day it would be achieved in an official marathon, and today that dream has been realised,” Kipchoge added.
Sawe’s time of 1:59:30 shatters the previous world record of 2:00:35 set in 2023 by the late Kelvin Kiptum, further cementing Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running.
Speaking after the race, Sawe described the moment as unforgettable. “I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me. We started the race well, and approaching the finish, I was feeling strong. When I saw the time, I was so excited to run a world record today,” he said.
He also credited spectators for their support, saying the crowds helped push him through the final stages of the race. “What comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London,” Sawe told the BBC.
Analysts say the breakthrough could redefine competitive marathon running, setting new benchmarks for training, pacing, and race strategy. It also raises expectations for governing bodies such as World Athletics, which will be tasked with ratifying the results under standard competition rules.
Kipchoge concluded by urging the next generation of athletes to draw inspiration from the achievement.
“Let this inspire the next generation and remind everyone in the world that ‘No Human Is Limited’,” he said.
The milestone is expected to reshape the global athletics landscape, marking the beginning of a new era where the once-unthinkable is now within reach.
