Sebastian Sawe 30, clocked in at 1hr 59minutes and 30 seconds to break the two hour barrier for the marathon full course,42,195 Km, beating the previous set record set by Kelvin Kiptum by 65 seconds.

The 30 years old, from Kenya, won the 2026 London Marathon men’s division held in London, UK, on the 26th, by running 42.195 km in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. He beat the previous record holder the late Kelvin Kiptum by 65 seconds.

Sawe passed the halfway point in 1 hour, 0 minutes, and 29 seconds but actually increased his speed in the latter half. The turning point came after 30 km. As Sawe broke away from the leading pack and surged forward, Yomif Kejelcha, Ethiopia, followed closely. The Kenyan delivered an astonishing final sprint and crossed the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds.

After the victory, Sawe said, “I continued to strive solely for breaking the record until this moment today. I am glad to have proven that there are no limits for humans.”

Second-place Kejelcha also set an astonishing record of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds. This is the first time two athletes have broken the two-hour barrier in an official competition. Third-place Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda, also finished in 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 28 seconds, faster than the previous world record.

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The Eliud Kipchoge Impossible fit

Running 42.195 km within two hours was once considered an ‘impossible challenge.’ Eliud Kipchoge, Kenya recorded 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds in Vienna, Austria, in 2019. However, at the time, Kipchoge’s run was an unofficial event aided by a specially designed course. He was aided by vehicle laser pacing, and 41 pacemakers to assist in improving the record. It was not recognized as an official record by World Athletics.

Sawe the Record breaker

Sawe emerged as a world-class marathoner overnight by winning his debut race at the 2024 Valencia Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 5 seconds. Dubbed the ‘next-generation record maker’ Sawe won last year’s London Marathon in 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 27 seconds. He extended his unbeaten streak to four marathon appearances with this London victory.