Kenyan distance runner Sabastian Sawe has accomplished a remarkable feat by breaking the long-elusive two-hour barrier during the London Marathon held on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Sawe completed the race in an astounding time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, finishing a full 65 seconds ahead of the previous world record. This landmark achievement marks the first time in history that a marathon has been completed in under two hours under official race conditions.
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The event took place on a sunny day in London and saw extraordinary performances from several athletes. Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia came in a close second, finishing just 11 seconds behind Sawe, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo clinched third place with a time of 2 hours and 0 minutes, marking all three runners as having surpassed the former world record. The previous record, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya in October 2023, stood at 2 hours and 0 minutes and 35 seconds.
Sawe’s achievement is historic, particularly as it comes after a struggle to officially break the two-hour barrier. In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge became the first to complete a marathon in under two hours, finishing in 1:59:40; however, this time was not recognised as an official record due to failure to meet World Athletics’ regulations.
Post-race, an elated Sawe spoke to reporters, emphasising the collective nature of this achievement. “What comes today is not for me alone… but for all of us today in London,” he noted, highlighting the camaraderie and support he felt during the race. This sentiment was echoed by former marathon champion Paula Radcliffe, who stated during the BBC broadcast, “The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running.”
Kipchoge himself expressed his joy for Sawe’s accomplishment on social media, referring to it as a “historical day for marathon running.” He congratulated both Sawe and Kejelcha, underscoring that their achievements highlight the potential of what can be accomplished when talent and belief merge together.
Sawe expressed gratitude towards the fans who supported him throughout the race, attributing part of his success to their encouragement. “I think they helped a lot,” he remarked, recalling how spectators were cheering and calling his name. He expressed feelings of happiness and strength as he ran, suggesting that their motivation contributed significantly to his performance.
When asked whether he believes more athletes will soon complete marathons in under two hours, Sawe confidently responded, “Yeah.” His optimistic outlook on the future of marathon running reflects the evolving nature of this sport and the potential for further records to be set.
Additionally, Sawe credited his footwear choice during the race, which featured the new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. These cutting-edge shoes are expected to be available to the public later this year at a price point of $500. Sawe described the shoes as “supportive” and “pushing good,” indicating their contribution to his record-breaking run, and he also acknowledged the invaluable support from his coaches throughout his training.
As the dust settles following this momentous marathon, it is clear that Sabastian Sawe’s historic run has shifted the landscape of distance running. His performance not only sets a new benchmark for aspiring marathoners around the world but also demonstrates the evolving capabilities of human endurance and athletic potential. The 2026 London Marathon will be remembered not just for the records broken, but for the spirit of competition and community it fostered among runners and supporters alike.