Marathon Milestone: Sawe Smashes Two-Hour Barrier at London Marathon

Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe made history by becoming the first athlete to break the two-hour marathon barrier in a competitive race. Sawe clocked 1:59:30 at the 2026 London Marathon. Fellow athletes Yomif Kejelcha and Jacob Kiplimo also posted record-breaking performances, while Tigst Assefa set a new women's record.

In a historic achievement, Kenyan marathoner Sabastian Sawe became the first athlete to complete a competitive marathon in under two hours, achieving an unprecedented time of 1:59:30 at the 2026 London Marathon. This momentous victory marks the first time the elusive sub-two-hour barrier has been broken under legal racing conditions.

Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha also shattered the barrier, finishing just seconds later at 1:59:41 to place second. The event not only pushed the limits of human endurance but also showcased a new era in long-distance running as remarkable achievements unfolded on the historic streets of London.

The previous world record stood at 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo also impressed, securing third place with 2:00:28. In the women's division, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa broke her world record with a time of 2:15:41, while Kenya's Hellen Obiri claimed second at 2:15:53.