Photo Credit; Getty Images
Kenyan athlete Sabastian Sawe has become the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race, winning the London Marathon in 1:59:30. The 30-year-old’s time broke the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, by over a minute. While Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier in 2019, Sawe’s performance is the first to be achieved in a sanctioned, record-eligible competition.
Already on a world record pace as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, Sawe was able to speed up over the second half of the race to run even faster than Kipchoge's time.
Sawe made his decisive move before the final 10km, with only debutant Yomif Kejelcha able to cover his surge off the front.
Remarkably, Kejelcha became the second man to run under two hours in race conditions, finishing runner-up in 1:59:41.
Half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo also crossed the line faster than Kiptum's former record, completing the podium in 2:00:28.
Sawe, speaking to reporters, said: "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.”
In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa improved her own world record for a women-only field as she surged clear of Kenyan rivals Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in a thrilling finish to retain her title in 2:15:41.
Swiss great Marcel Hug cruised to a record-equalling eighth London Marathon victory in the elite men's wheelchair race, tying level with Great Britain's David Weir by winning for a fifth successive year.
Catherine Debrunner also retained the elite women's wheelchair title as the Swiss burst clear of American Tatyana McFadden in the closing stages.
Much of the focus beforehand had been about Sawe - winner of last year's race in 2:02:27 - targeting Kiptum's London Marathon course record of 2:01:25.
