For optimal video playback, please use the Chrome browser. In a groundbreaking achievement, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has shattered the men's world record at the 2026 London Marathon, completing the race in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. This remarkable feat eclipsed the previous record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum, who had set a time of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, with Sawe's run surpassing it by an impressive 35 seconds.
Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia closely trailed Sawe for much of the 42.195-kilometre course but ultimately finished second in his marathon debut with a time of 1:59:41, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo secured the bronze medal in 2:02:28. Sawe reflected on his historic win, stating, "For the new generation, it demonstrates that achieving a record is within reach. Everything is possible with time, and I was well-prepared for the London Marathon and today's outcome.
I'm overjoyed because I had the courage to push myself, even when the pace was fast." Kejelcha praised Sawe's commitment to clean racing, which included undergoing 25 voluntary drug tests before winning the Berlin Marathon. Kejelcha expressed his admiration, saying, "It's crucial for clean sport. Perhaps I'll follow his example in the future.
I think it's an excellent idea." The two-hour barrier in marathon running has been a long-standing challenge. Eliud Kipchoge, a renowned Kenyan long-distance runner, achieved this feat in Vienna in 2019 as part of the "1.59 Challenge," a specially designed race with favourable conditions. However, since it was not an official race setting, Kipchoge's time of 1:59:40 did not make it into the record books. Sawe surpassed Kipchoge's time by 10 seconds on a largely flat London course in dry, sunny conditions.
According to former London Marathon winner Paula Radcliffe, who commented on the race for the BBC, "The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running." At the turn of the century, the world's best time for the men's marathon was 2:05:42, set by Khalid Khannouchi in Chicago in 1999. Over the past 24 years, this record has been gradually broken by a succession of Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, including Haile Gebrselassie, Wilson Kipsang, Kipchoge, and most recently, Kiptum.
In the women's category, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa retained her title with a record-breaking time of 2:15:41, surpassing her own record from the previous year's London Marathon. The 29-year-old pulled ahead of Kenyans Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in the final stretch, crossing the finish line in 2:15:41 and beating her previous record of 2:15:50 set in London last year.
Obiri finished second in 2:15:53, while Jepkosgei took the bronze in 2:15:55. Marcel Hug of Switzerland and Catherine Debrunner won the men's and women's wheelchair events, respectively. Hug secured his sixth consecutive win and eighth overall, while Debrunner outsprinted American Tatyana McFadden to claim her third consecutive victory in London.