London Marathon 2026 results: Sabastian Sawe makes history with first competitive sub two-hour marathon
BBC News
Last updated: April 26, 2026
Sabastian Sawe achieved a monumental feat at the London Marathon, becoming the first man to break the two-hour barrier in a competitive race. This achievement marks a significant moment in marathon running history.
- Sabastian Sawe, a 30-year-old Kenyan athlete, set a new world record by completing the London Marathon in an astonishing one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. This groundbreaking performance makes him the first male runner to officially run a marathon under two hours in a race setting. The previous official world record stood at 2:00:35, also set by Sawe in 2023. This sub-two-hour run is a testament to years of dedicated training and advancements in running technology and sports science. Sawe's accomplishment is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes and push the boundaries of human endurance in long-distance running. The race conditions and Sawe's exceptional pacing contributed to this historic achievement, solidifying his place in athletic lore.
