Sabastian Sawe became the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, achieving a historic time of 1:59:30. This remarkable feat took place during the London Marathon on April 26, 2026. Sawe’s performance marks a new era in marathon running.
Before this event, Eliud Kipchoge held the unofficial record with his sub-two-hour run. However, Kipchoge’s time had not been recognized as an official world record due to its special conditions. Now, Sawe’s achievement stands as the fastest official marathon time in history.
Yomif Kejelcha finished second with an impressive time of 1:59:41, making it the fastest marathon debut ever. Jacob Kiplimo secured third place with a time of 2:00:28, also under the previous world record.
Sawe ran the second half of his marathon in just over 59 minutes—a staggering pace that shocked spectators and competitors alike. His previous best was 2:02:27, which he set during last year’s London Marathon.
After crossing the finish line, Sawe expressed his joy. “I am feeling good, I am so happy. It is a day to remember,” he said. His victory earned him over $1 million in prize money, appearance fees, and bonuses.
The women’s race saw Tigst Assefa claim victory with a time of 2:15:41, setting a new women’s-only world record. Assefa shared her excitement as well—”I screamed when I finished because I knew I was breaking the world record.”
Kenyan athletes continue to dominate long-distance running events globally. Their rigorous training and dedication have led to numerous records and accolades.
The Adidas Adios Pro 3 shoes played a significant role in Sawe’s performance. The technology within these shoes has been praised for enhancing speed and efficiency.
Officials expect that this groundbreaking achievement will inspire more athletes to push their limits in marathon running. The world will watch closely as future races unfold.
Sawe’s journey began in a remote village in Kenya without electricity. Encouraged by a teacher, he pursued running and has now achieved what many thought impossible.
This historic moment not only elevates Sawe but also highlights the potential for future records to be broken by Kenyan athletes.
