Marathon in less than two hours! Sawe rewrites history in London with an epic feat (and three athletes break the old record)

For years it was considered the extreme limit of human endurance. An almost symbolic border, more mental than physical. Then, suddenly, that wall collapsed. At the 2026 London Marathon, Kenyan Sebastian Sawe wrote a page that will last: 1h59’30”, the first man in history to run the 42.195km in under two hours in an official race. Kelvin Kiptum’s previous record (2h00’35”) was not simply beaten: it was demolished.

An unreal race: three athletes beyond all limits

If Sawe’s feat is historic, the context makes it even more incredible. Behind him, the Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha, making his debut over the distance, finished in 1h59’41”, becoming the second man ever under two hours. Third place for the Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo in 2h00’28”. A time that, until yesterday, would have been a world record. The result? An unprecedented podium: three athletes under the old world record.

The turning point in the second half of the match

The race didn’t start at a crazy pace. Progress to 10 km in 28’25”, half the race in 1h00’29”. Then, after the hares came out, everything changed. Sawe increased the pace with an impressive progression, running the second half in 59’01”, faster than the first. Between the 30th and 35th kilometre, he made the decisive push, separating Kejelcha and leaving Kiplimo without a response. An acceleration that transformed a great race into an absolute masterpiece.

Even among women it is a record

The London day also provided a spectacle in the women’s race. The Ethiopian Tigist Assefa won by improving her record in women’s only races with 2h15’41”, at the end of a close challenge with the Kenyan Hellen Obiri (2h15’53”) and Joyciline Jepkosgei (2h15’55”).

A new era for the marathon

The one seen in London was not just a race, but a turning point. The two-hour limit, chased and missed for years, is now a reality. And no longer by just one, but by multiple athletes on the same day. The marathon thus enters a new dimension, where what seemed impossible suddenly becomes the new standard. And where the next goal, today, is still to be imagined.

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