LONDON, UK—Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has redefined the limits of human endurance, becoming the first athlete in history to run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive, record-eligible race.
The 30-year-old Kenyan stormed to victory at the London Marathon on Sunday, crossing the finish line in an astonishing one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds (1:59:30).
In doing so, he shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
A Record for the Ages
Sawe’s historic run marks the first time a sub-two-hour marathon has been achieved in an open, competitive race.
While the legendary Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to run under 2 hours in 2019, that feat was achieved under controlled, non-record-eligible conditions, including pacemakers, on-demand hydration, and ideal drafting.
No such assistance was available in London. Sawe’s performance is now the official world record—a seismic moment for athletics.
Already on world record pace as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, Sawe astonishingly accelerated over the second half of the race, running even faster than Kipchoge’s unofficial time.
Kejelcha Also Under Two Hours
In a race for the ages, Sawe made his decisive move before the final 10 kilometers. Only debutant Yomif Kejelcha could initially cover the surge—and remarkably, Kejelcha also crossed the line under two hours, finishing as runner-up in 1:59:41.
Kejelcha thus becomes the second man in history to break the two-hour barrier in a competitive race on the same day.
Half-marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo completed a historic podium, also finishing faster than Kiptum’s former record in 2:00:28.
Sawe’s Journey to Greatness
Much of the pre-race focus had been on Sawe, the winner of last year’s London Marathon in 2:02:27. He had told BBC Sport earlier this week that it was “only a matter of time” before he broke Kiptum’s world record.
When asked about becoming the first person to run under two hours in a race, Sawe had added: “I hope and wish one day [it will be me].”
That day arrived in spectacular fashion. Sawe had previously targeted the world record in Berlin last September, only for his bid to be undone by hot weather. However, in perfect London conditions, the Kenyan—who has now won all four marathons he has contested—stormed down The Mall to achieve the historic feat.
Women’s Race and Wheelchair Champions
In the women’s elite race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa improved her own world record for a women-only field. She surged clear of Kenyan rivals Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in a thrilling finish to retain her title in 2:15:41.
Swiss great Marcel Hug cruised to a record-equalling eighth London Marathon victory in the elite men’s wheelchair race, tying with Great Britain’s David Weir by winning for a fifth successive year.
Catherine Debrunner also retained the elite women’s wheelchair title, the Swiss star bursting clear of American Tatyana McFadden in the closing stages.
A New Era in Marathon Running
Sawe’s 1:59:30 performance answers definitively the question of whether a sub-two-hour marathon is possible in a head-to-head race. The answer is now a resounding yes.
The result reshapes the marathon pantheon, placing Sebastian Sawe at its very summit—alone as the first man to break the two-hour barrier when it mattered most.
