Kenya's Sabastian Sawe breaks two-hour marathon barrier with world record at London Marathon

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has become the first man to run a competitive marathon in under two hours, winning the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday in a world record time of 1:59:30, shattering one of the last great barriers in athletics. The 31-year-old crossed the finish line shaving one minute and five seconds off the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Sawe ran the second half in 59 minutes and one second, pulling clear with Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha after 30 kilometres before making his solo break in the final two kilometres along The Mal

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has become the first man to run a competitive marathon in under two hours, winning the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday in a world record time of 1:59:30, shattering one of the last great barriers in athletics.

The 31-year-old crossed the finish line shaving one minute and five seconds off the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Sawe ran the second half in 59 minutes and one second, pulling clear with Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha after 30 kilometres before making his solo break in the final two kilometres along The Mall.

"Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time and I was so excited," Sawe told the BBC. "I think today shows me a lot, the first for everyone, and I am so happy for today."

Kejelcha stayed on Sawe's heels for most of the 42.195km course before fading in the final stretch to take second in his marathon debut in 1:59:41, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished third in 2:00:28. All three men finished inside the previous world record.

Sabastian Sawe of Team Kenya leads Yomif Kejelcha of Team Ethiopia near the end of the Men's 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26. Sabastian Sawe of Team Kenya leads Yomif Kejelcha of Team Ethiopia near the end of the Men's 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26.Photographer: Warren Little/Getty Image

Before Sunday's race, pre-race discussion had centred on breaking Kiptum's course record of 2:01:25, with half-marathon world record holder Kiplimo and Kejelcha in the lineup raising expectations for an exceptional performance.

A sub-two-hour marathon has long been one of athletics' major barriers, comparable to the four-minute mile. Eliud Kipchoge became the first man recorded to run the distance in under two hours in 2019, but his time did not count as a record as the race was held under controlled conditions. Sawe is the first to achieve the feat in open competition.

The result is subject to World Athletics' standard ratification procedures.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa defended her London Marathon crown, pulling away in the closing stages to win in 2:15:41, beating her own previous best set on the same course last year by nine seconds. Kenya's Hellen Obiri finished second in a personal best of 2:15:53.

London Marathon - London, Britain - April 26, 2026 Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa celebrates after winning the women's elite race REUTERS/Matthew Childs