London Marathon 2026: Sabastian Sawe Makes History with Sub-2-Hour Win
London, April 26, 2026 – Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe shattered the marathon world record on Sunday, becoming the first athlete to complete a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race. Sawe crossed the finish line on The Mall in one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, improving upon the previous world mark by 65 seconds.
The time eclipses the late Kelvin Kiptum’s record of 2:00:35, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Sawe’s victory marks not only a personal milestone but a historic moment for the sport, as no runner had previously achieved this feat under official world record conditions.
“It’s a day to remember for me,” Sawe told the BBC after the race. “I hoped and wished one day it would be me.”
Sawe, who turned 30 earlier this year, entered the race as the defending champion, having won the 2025 London Marathon in 2:02:27. His performance in 2026 was dominant from the outset, with pacemakers helping maintain an aggressive pace through the first half. At the 13.1-mile mark, Sawe and a little lead group passed in 1:00:29, putting him on world record pace.
He made his decisive move before the final 10 kilometers, pulling away from the pack. Only Ethiopian debutant Yomif Kejelcha could respond, finishing second in 1:59:41 to grow the second man to break the two-hour barrier in a race. Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo took third in 2:00:28, also surpassing Kiptum’s former record.
The conditions in London were described as ideal for fast running, with cool temperatures and minimal wind. Sawe had previously attempted to break the world record at the Berlin Marathon in September 2025, but hot weather hindered that effort. In London, still, he executed his plan to perfection.
Sawe has now won all four marathons he has contested, including victories in Valencia (2024) and Berlin (2025). His consistency and tactical execution have established him as the sport’s current standard-bearer.
Eliud Kipchoge remains the first human to run a marathon under two hours, achieving 1:59:40.2 in Vienna in October 2019. However, that run was not eligible for world record status due to controlled conditions, including rotating pacemakers and lack of open competition. Sawe’s London performance is the first to satisfy all criteria for an official world record.
In the women’s race, Ethiopian Tigst Assefa defended her title with a winning time of 2:15:41, finishing just 16 seconds shy of Paula Radcliffe’s longstanding course record set in 2003. British hopes for a top finish were unmet, with Amanal Petros placing 15th in 2:08:31, well off his German national record pace.
The 2026 London Marathon reaffirmed its status as one of the world’s premier marathons, delivering a historic men’s race that will be studied for years to come. Sawe’s run not only rewrites the record books but raises new questions about the limits of human performance in the sport.
Looking ahead, Sawe is expected to target another fast time at a major marathon later in 2026, with Berlin and Chicago among the likely options. For now, however, the focus remains on celebrating a breakthrough that once seemed unattainable in competitive conditions.
What does this mean for the future of marathon running? As shoe technology, training methods, and race strategy continue to evolve, the sub-two-hour mark may no longer be a singular achievement but a new benchmark for elite athletes.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates on Sawe’s next race and reaction from the global running community.
Share your thoughts on this historic performance in the comments below.
