Sebastian Sawe of Kenya has become the first man in history to complete a marathon in under two hours, crossing the finish line in London on Sunday, April 26, 2026, with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in athletics, shattering the previous men’s world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, which stood at 2 hours, 1 minute and 25 seconds. Sawe’s performance surpassed that mark by 1 minute and 55 seconds, the largest improvement in the men’s marathon world record in over half a century.
Sawe, 29, had previously won the London Marathon in 2025 with a time of 2:02:27. His 2026 victory came in challenging conditions, with temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius during the race, yet he maintained an average pace of approximately 2:51 per kilometer throughout the 42.195-kilometer course.
The Kenyan athlete credited his success to a combination of rigorous training, tactical pacing and the use of Adidas’s latest Pro Evo 3 supershoe, which weighs just 96 grams. Sawe stated that the footwear contributed to his performance, saying simply “Yep” when asked if the shoes were capable of helping break world records.
His main rival in the race was Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, the defending Chicago Marathon champion and 2025 London Marathon runner-up. Ethiopian debutant Yomif Kejelcha also finished under the two-hour barrier, marking the first time multiple athletes achieved the feat in the same marathon.
Sawe’s agent, Eric Lilot, revealed that the pacing strategy involved requesting pacemakers to lead the field through the halfway point in 60 minutes and 30 seconds, a target designed to position Sawe for a strong second-half push. Forecasted tailwinds in the final stages of the course were also cited as a potential advantage.
The race drew significant attention not only for the historic sub-two-hour performance but also for the women’s event, where Tigst Assefa aimed to defend her own world record set in London the previous year. Assefa had beaten the prior women’s world record by 26 seconds in 2025 with a time of 2:15:50.
British representation in the men’s field included Mahamed Mahamed, Phil Sesemann and Patrick Dever, while Alex Yee, the 2024 Olympic triathlon gold medalist, returned as a pacemaker after making his competitive marathon debut in London in 2025.
Sawe, often described by commentators as a “silent assassin” for his calm demeanor and explosive finishing kick, has now competed in five career marathons. His previous attempt at a world record came at the Berlin Marathon in September 2025, where he was hindered by warm temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius.
The London Marathon course, while not traditionally considered as fast as those in Berlin or Chicago, provided favorable conditions on race day, with organizers noting the potential for record-breaking performances given the weather and pacing strategy.
As of the conclusion of the event, no official statement has been issued by World Athletics regarding the ratification of Sawe’s time as a new world record. The governing body typically requires a post-race review process, including verification of timing equipment and adherence to competition rules, before confirming any record.
Looking ahead, Sawe has expressed interest in defending his London Marathon title in 2027 and continuing to challenge the limits of human performance in the marathon distance. His focus remains on consistent training and preparation, with future targets potentially including another attempt at lowering the world record further.
For ongoing updates on athletics records and major marathon events, readers are encouraged to consult the official World Athletics website and the London Marathon’s official communications channels.
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