Sabastian Sawe has become the first man to break the two-hour barrier in an official competition as he won the London Marathon. The Kenyan smashed the marathon world record, winning in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
He defended his 2025 title, beating Yomif Kejelcha by 11 seconds. The Ethiopian runner-up also crossed the line in an astonishing one hour, 59 minutes and 41 seconds, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished third in two hours, 28 seconds.
All three were faster than the previous official world record of two hours, 35 seconds set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023. Sawe’s time was also 10 seconds faster than the unofficial one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019.
A new standard was also set in the women’s race, won by Tigst Assefa, who defended her London Marathon crown in a women’s-only world record two hours, 15 minutes and 41 seconds, with both subject to official ratification.
Conditions were ideal in London, with the men getting off to a blazing start. Sawe was under the world record pace at the 10-kilometre mark before there was a collective let-up near Cutty Sark. The main contenders remained grouped together five kilometres later and at the halfway point Sawe clocked in at one hour, 29 seconds.
Sawe and Kejelcha eventually pulled ahead of Kiplimo, who was two seconds behind the leaders 30 kilometres in and the front two had opened their lead even further five kilometres later. Just as it looked like only the course record would be the one to fall, Sawe found another gear and set himself on course to make history.
Sawe told BBC One: "I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me. We started the race well. Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited. Coming to London for the second time was so important to me and that’s why I prepared well for it."
