Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon, becoming the first athlete to complete a sub‑two‑hour marathon in a competitive race. The 30‑year‑old Kenyan won in 1:59:30, slicing more than a minute off Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 mark of 2:00:35.
Eliud Kipchoge was the first man to break two hours in 2019, but that run was not record‑eligible because it took place under controlled conditions. Sawe, by contrast, achieved the barrier in open competition.
Sawe reached halfway in 1:00:29 and kept world‑record pace, then accelerated in the second half to finish faster than Kipchoge’s time. He made his decisive move before the final 10km; only race debutant Yomif Kejelcha could follow the surge. Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, becoming the second man to record a sub‑two‑hour marathon in race conditions. Half‑marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo was third in 2:00:28, also quicker than Kiptum’s former mark.
After the race Sawe told BBC TV: “I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me.” He said the race began well, he felt strong approaching the finish and seeing the final time brought great excitement.
In the women’s race, Assefa — the third‑fastest woman in history — started as favourite to defend her 2025 London title after injuries forced Olympic champion Sifan Hassan and world champion Peres Jepchirchir to withdraw. The leading trio remained together until the closing kilometres, with Hellen Obiri and Mary Jepkosgei matching Assefa’s pace inside the Ethiopian’s London record from a year earlier.
Assefa had the energy to push on and took victory, lowering her women‑only London record by nine seconds. Obiri finished 12 seconds behind, with Jepkosgei close in third. Eilish McColgan was the first British woman home, seventh in 2:24:51, and Rose Harvey was ninth in 2:26:14. The women’s elite race begins 30 minutes before the men’s, so it is classed as a women‑only event.
On the men’s side, Mahamed Mahamed was the top British finisher, placing 10th in 2:06:14 and becoming the second‑fastest Briton in history, replacing Alex Yee.
