Sabastian Sawe breaks two hours: the first sub-2 marathon in a race

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe became the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in an official race, winning the London Marathon on 26 April 2026 in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.

Sawe took more than a minute off the world record of 2:00:35, set by his late compatriot Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. He also retained the London title he won in 2025.

A race that broke the barrier twice

Sawe was not the only man under two hours. Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, the fastest time ever recorded by a runner who did not win, and the fastest marathon debut in history. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo was third.

The leaders went through halfway in 59:45, according to Sky Sports, and Sawe held that pace all the way to the finish.

Sawe said the record showed the next generation of runners what is possible, and credited his preparation and the courage to stay with the pace.

Why it matters

The two-hour marathon has been one of sport's great barriers. Eliud Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 in Vienna in 2019, but that was a specially staged event with rotating pacemakers, so it was never eligible as a record. Sawe did it in an open race, on a public course.

Like all world records, the time is subject to ratification by World Athletics.

Kenyan women on the podium too

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa won again in 2:15:41, a women-only world record. Kenya's Hellen Obiri was second in 2:15:53 and Joyciline Jepkosgei third in 2:15:55.

The result extends a remarkable run for Kenyan distance running, which also dominated the steeplechase and 5,000m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.