Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has made athletics history by becoming the first person to run an official marathon in under two hours, winning the London Marathon 2026 in a record-breaking time of 1:59:30, according to Reuters.
The landmark performance shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, with Sawe improving it by 65 seconds. His run marks the first time the sub-two-hour barrier has been achieved under official race conditions, a feat long considered one of sport’s ultimate limits.
The race itself was extraordinary, with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finishing second in 1:59:41 and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo third in 2:00:28, meaning all three runners beat the previous world record.
Sawe’s achievement goes beyond just a win. Previous sub-two-hour attempts, including Eliud Kipchoge’s 2019 run, were not officially recognised due to controlled conditions. Sawe’s performance, by contrast, came in open competition, making it a historic and fully ratified milestone.
The result is widely seen as a defining moment in endurance sport, comparable to the breaking of the four-minute mile. It signals a new era in marathon running, one where the limits of human performance continue to be redefined.
