Sabastian Sawe smashes two-hour barrier to make history at London Marathon

• Published1 hour ago
• 392 Comments

Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon by becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.

The 30-year-old Kenyan crossed the line to win in one hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, more than one minute faster than the late Kelvin Kiptum's previous record of 2:00:35, set in 2023.

The great Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019, but that was not record-eligible as it was held under controlled conditions.

Already on world record pace as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, Sawe was able to speed up over the second half of the race to run even faster than Kipchoge's time.

Sawe made his decisive move before the final 10km, with only debutant Yomif Kejelcha able to cover his surge off the front.

Remarkably, Kejelcha became the second man to run under two hours in race conditions, finishing runner-up in 1:59:41.

Half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo also crossed the line faster than Kiptum's former record, completing the podium in 2:00:28.

Sawe, speaking on BBC TV, said: "I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me."

"We started the race well. Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited."

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa improved her own world record for a women-only field as 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 level with Great Britain's David Weir by winning for a fifth successive year.

Catherine Debrunner also retained the elite women's wheelchair title as the Swiss burst clear of American Tatyana McFadden in the closing stages.

How Sawe achieved sporting immortality in London

Much of the focus beforehand had been about Sawe - winner of last year's race in 2:02:27 - targeting Kiptum's London Marathon course record of 2:01:25.

He told BBC Sport this week that it was "only a matter of time" before he broke Kiptum's world record - adding "I hope and wish one day [it will be me]" when asked about becoming the first person to run under two hours in a race.

Sawe had targeted the world record in Berlin last September, before that bid was undone by the hot weather.

But, in perfect conditions in London, Sawe, who has won all four marathons he has contested, stormed down The Mall to achieve the historic feat.

After covering the first half of the course in 1:00:29, Sawe moved through the gears to complete the second half in just 59:01.

Only 63 men in history have run a half marathon as quickly as that - with Sawe's own personal best standing at 58:05.

His splits continued to quicken as he chased down his target, clocking 13:54 for the five kilometres from 30-35km, and 13:42 for the 35-40km stretch - an average pace of 2:45 per kilometre.

Sawe has sought to ensure confidence in his performances by undergoing frequent drug tests and was tested 25 times before competing in Berlin.

"I want to thank the crowds for cheering us. I think they help a lot, because if it was not for them, you don't feel like you are so loved," Sawe said.

"I think they help a lot because them calling makes you feel so happy and strong and pushing.

"That is why I can say what comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London."

Assefa improves record as Hug makes history

Assefa, the third-fastest woman in history, lined up as favourite to repeat her 2025 triumph in London after injuries forced Olympic gold medallist Sifan Hassan and world champion Peres Jepchirchir to withdraw.

The leading trio in Sunday's race remained inseparable until the closing kilometres, as Obiri and Jepkosgei accompanied Assefa inside the Ethiopian's record pace set in London 12 months ago.

But it was Assefa who summoned the energy to push on for victory, going nine seconds faster than her previous women-only record.

The women's elite runners begin 30 minutes before the elite men in the London Marathon, meaning the event is classed as a women-only race.

Obiri, a six-time global medallist on the track, crossed the line 12 seconds after Assefa, closely followed by Kenya's 2021 winner Jepkosgei.

Eilish McColgan was the first British woman across the line, placing seventh overall in 2:24:51, while Rose Harvey was ninth in 2:26:14.

Mahamed Mahamed was the best-placed home athlete in the men's event, finishing 10th in 2:06:14 and replacing Alex Yee as the second-fastest Briton in history.

Hug produced another dominant performance to tie Weir's record for the most victories in London Marathon history.

Hug, 40, crossed the line in 1:24:13, more than four and a half minutes clear of Chinese 23-year-old Luo Xingchuan.

Briton Weir completed the podium in 1:29:23 in his 27th consecutive appearance at the event.

Debrunner celebrated her fourth London Marathon win after outlasting McFadden, finishing just five seconds ahead of the American in clocking 1:38:29.

Briton Eden Rainbow-Cooper went into the race with podium aspirations after finishing fourth last year and regaining her Boston Marathon title on Monday, but those hopes were dashed by a pre-race puncture which caused her to start the race late.

Related topics

• Athletics