Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha made history by breaking the two-hour mark in a marathon for the first time in an astonishing London Marathon.
Champion Sawe obliterated the previous official world record with an astonishing run of 01:59:30. In an unbelievable twist, Kejelcha also broke the barrier with a time of 01:59:41.
The late Kelvin Kiptum previously held the world record with a time of 02:00:35 set in Chicago in 2023, with Eliud Kipchoge breaking the two-hour barrier in 2019, but not in official conditions.
In what will be remembered as the fastest marathon of all time, Jacob Kiplimo’s third-place time of 02:00:28 would have also broken the previous world record.
Follow live updates from the 2026 London Marathon in our blog below
Record-breaking Sabastian Sawe becomes first man to run marathon under two hours
Sabastian Sawe made history on the streets of London with the first official marathon under two hours in the fastest race ever run over the 26.2-mile distance.
Sawe, the 29-year-old Kenyan, shattered the previous world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum with an astonishing run of 1:59:30 that shaved 65 seconds off the previous best set by his compatriot in Chicago in 2023.
Sabastian Sawe on breaking the world record in London
“I’m feeling good. I’m so happy. It’s a day to remember for me. It is a day to remember,” Sawe tells the BBC.
He says he come into the marathon knowing sub-2:00:00 was possible. I think he may be talking about the late Kelvin Kiptum when speaking about what got him over the line.
“We started the race well and approaching the end and finishing the race, I was feeling strong and I remembered my fellow champion athlete who was so competitive and I think he was the one who helped a lot.
“I’m finally reaching the finishing line. I saw the time and I was so excited to see running a world record today.
“I think I was well prepared because coming to London for the second time was so important to me, and that’s why. I prepared well for it.”
Sabastian Sawe takes two minutes, 35 seconds off PB
Sawe’s previous best of 2:02:05 was achieved in winning the London Marathon last year, and he obliterated his personal best by defending his title.
Sabastian Sawe: ‘The Silent Assassin’
Speaking ahead of the London Marathon, Sabastian Sawe did not rule out a word record when asked about his chances.
And asked if his shoes, the Adidas Pro Evo 3s, were of course – or even world – record quality, the 29-year-old replied, simply: “Yep.”
London Marathon 2026: Sabastian Sawe’s splits
Sawe ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT! He went out in 60:30, he came back in 59:00.
London Marathon 2026: A day that shocked the world
He teased the world record. But no one was expecting this!
London Marathon 2026: The fastest marathon of all time?
The top three times in today’s race would have all broken the previous world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in 2023.
Sawe and Kejelcha both went under two hours, but Jacob Kiplimo also went under Kiptum’s best of 02:00:30.
Just amazing.
London Marathon 2026: SABASTIAN SAWE SHATTERS WORLD RECORD
THE FIRST OFFICIAL MARATHON UNDER TWO HOURS! SABASTIAN SAWE BREAKS THE WORLD RECORD AND MAKES HISTORY IN LONDON!
Astonishing! He has absolutely destroyed it! The Kenyan has done it! To add to an unbelievable day, Kejelcha has gone under two hours as well! Like London buses!
- 1 – SAWE (KEN) -01:59:30
- 2 – KEJELCHA (ETH) – 01:59:41
- 3 – KIPLIMO (UGA) – 02:00:28
- 4 – KIPRUTO (KEN) – 02:01:39
- 5- GELETA (ETH) – 02:02:59
- 6 – TOLA (ETH) -02:03:23
London Marathon 2026: Sawe breaks ahead and is pushing for sub-2:00:00
Sabastian Sawe makes his break and surges clear of Kejelcha, who has done so well to hang on for so long!
But for now, Sawe has history in his sights! This is about more than gold, Sawe may run the first sub-2:00:00 of all time and shatter the world record!
