Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe Breaks 2-Hour Marathon Barrier, Wins London

Bassyonni

Published: April 26, 2026 9:14 AM ET

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe Breaks 2-Hour Marathon Barrier, Wins London

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has made history by becoming the first athlete to break the 2-hour barrier in the marathon. He achieved this monumental feat during the London Marathon on April 26, 2026, finishing the race in a remarkable time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. This victory marks a significant moment in sports, as Sawe shattered the previous world record by 65 seconds.

London Marathon Highlights

The London Marathon saw not just Sawe’s extraordinary win but also impressive performances from other elite runners. Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha finished second in his marathon debut, crossing the line in 1:59:41, thus also dipping below the 2-hour mark. Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda set a new PB, completing the race in 2:00:28, breaking the prior record set in Chicago by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.

Sawe’s Inspirational Performance

At 29 years of age, Sabastian Sawe retained his title at the London Marathon, displaying an exceptional pace. After the 30-kilometer mark, he surged ahead of Kejelcha, maintaining a blistering second half of 59 minutes and 1 second. His final sprint down The Mall was an exhilarating conclusion to a historic race.

Women’s Race Record

The women’s race also saw a remarkable achievement. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa won with a time of 2:15:41, marking the fastest time ever in a women’s-only marathon. However, it fell short of the overall course record of 2:15:25 set by Paula Radcliffe in a mixed-race event back in 2003.

Wheelchair Racing Dominance

Marcel Hug of Switzerland celebrated his sixth consecutive victory in the men’s wheelchair race, bringing his total wins to eight.
Catherine Debrunner also from Switzerland, defended her title in a close finish against Tatyana McFadden.

This year’s London Marathon not only highlighted outstanding athleticism but also the relentless pursuit of breaking barriers in marathon history. The event attracted large crowds, with Sawe expressing gratitude towards the supporters who filled the streets of London.