LONDON, April 26 – In a historic achievement that rewrites the record books, Kenyan distance runner Sabastian Sawe accomplished what many thought impossible Sunday, crossing the finish line at the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds to become the first athlete to officially break the two-hour marathon barrier.
The groundbreaking performance demolished the previous world record of 2:00:35, which had been set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at Chicago’s marathon in October 2023. Kiptum tragically lost his life in a vehicle accident in Kenya last year at age 24.
Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha maintained close contact with Sawe throughout most of the 26.2-mile route before losing ground in the closing miles, finishing second in his first-ever marathon attempt with a time of 1:59:41. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo claimed third place at 2:00:28, creating what many are calling the most extraordinary men’s marathon conclusion in the sport’s history.
“I am feeling good, I am happy, it’s a day to remember for me,” Sawe shared with BBC reporters while displaying his running shoe marked with “world record” and “sub-2” in black ink.
“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. I think today shows me a lot the first (time) for everyone, and I am so happy for today. Coming to London for the second time was so important to me and that’s why I prepared well for it.”
The women’s competition also produced record-breaking results as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa improved upon her own world record. The 29-year-old athlete separated herself from Kenya’s Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in the final stretch, completing the course in 2:15:41 and surpassing her previous mark of 2:15:50 from last year’s London event.
“I’m so happy to win again, I want to thank God for giving me this victory, to repeat my victory from last year means even more. And so the happiness I feel is just welling up inside me,” Assefa shared with BBC.
Obiri secured second place with 2:15:53, while Jepkosgei earned third at 2:15:55.
Weather conditions proved nearly perfect for record attempts, with temperatures in the mid-teens and minimal wind providing an ideal environment for fast times.
Breaking the two-hour marathon threshold has represented one of athletics’ greatest challenges for decades, with previous attempts involving highly controlled scientific experiments designed to push human performance boundaries.
Nike’s Breaking2 project at Monza in 2017 came close but fell short, though Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge did run under two hours during INEOS’s 1:59 Challenge in 2019. However, those achievements weren’t recognized in official competition records.
Sawe’s Sunday triumph stands apart because it occurred during legitimate race conditions on one of the sport’s most prominent stages, transforming a goal previously tested only in laboratory-like settings into an officially recognized milestone.
The achievement becomes even more remarkable considering Sawe dealt with injuries throughout the fall and only resumed serious training in January. He realized in February that his fitness had returned sufficiently to defend his London title.
An estimated one million spectators lined the Thames River course route, cheering Sawe toward the finish line on The Mall with Buckingham Palace providing the backdrop. Prior to the race, Sawe had suggested a world record might be necessary to defeat the strong field of competitors.
“Finally, what I had done for four months it has come today to be a good result,” he explained. “I want to thank the crowds for cheering us. I think they help a lot, because if it was not for them you don’t feel like you are so loved.
“I think they help a lot because them calling make you feel so happy and strong and pushing. That is why I can say what comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London.”
Training at high altitude in western Kenya, Sawe draws inspiration from his uncle, former Ugandan Olympic 800-meter competitor Abraham Chepkirwod. A teacher once encouraged him by saying: “Running is not just talent, it is your fortune and your future.”
Sawe first gained attention with his spectacular marathon debut victory in Valencia this past December, recording what was then the fifth-fastest time in history. He has remained undefeated in every marathon since beginning his career in the distance.
The runner has been vocal about anti-doping efforts in athletics, advocating for frequent testing and, aware of Kenya’s troubled doping history, requesting the Athletics Integrity Unit test him extensively last year. Officials conducted 25 tests leading up to the 2025 Berlin Marathon.
“The main reason was to show that I am clean, and I am doing it the right way,” he stated.
In wheelchair competition, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug captured his sixth straight men’s title and eighth overall victory, while Catherine Debrunner outsprinted American Tatyana McFadden for her third consecutive London women’s wheelchair championship.
