Sawe breaks two-hour mark in London
Historic marathon win sets new world record
Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe broke the two-hour barrier to win the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to complete a marathon in under two hours. The 31-year-old, unbeaten over the distance, lowered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished closely behind in his marathon debut with 1:59:41, taking second, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo was third in 2:02:28. Sawe said he was amazed by the result and credited his preparation and training for the achievement.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa improved her own women-only world record to 2:15:41 after a tense moment when a pacesetter cut in front of her at a drinks station; she narrowly avoided being forced off stride and then pulled away in the home straight. Kenya’s Hellen Obiri was second in 2:15:53 and Joyciline Jepkosgei third in 2:15:55.
The marathon also featured notable wheelchair victories: Switzerland’s Marcel Hug won the men’s wheelchair race for the sixth consecutive year and eighth overall, while compatriot Catherine Debrunner edged American Tatyana McFadden to claim her third straight women’s wheelchair title in London.
Organisers staged the race under controlled conditions that optimized pacing, course layout and support, factors that contributed to the record-setting performances. Analysts noted the results reflect advances in training, race strategy and technology, and they reignite debate about the limits of human endurance in elite distance running. Both the men’s and women’s landmark times were celebrated across the athletics community and are expected to influence future approaches to marathon preparation and pacing.
