Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe rewrote the record books on Sunday, becoming the first man in history to complete an official marathon in under two hours at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, finishing in a staggering 1:59:30.
On the same course, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her women’s title and set a new women-only world record of 2:15:41, making it a day of double historic achievement on the streets of London.
The 31-year-old Sawe defended his London title after a three-way battle with Ethiopia’s marathon debutant Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, last year’s runner-up.
Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, just 11 seconds behind, while Kiplimo took third in 2:00:28, meaning three men finished inside the previous world record in the same race.
The trio ran together until 30 kilometers, at which point Sawe’s negative split of 60:29 for the first half and 59:01 for the second proved decisive.
He pulled clear on the approach to Buckingham Palace, surging past Kejelcha after the Ethiopian bypassed his final drink station at 40 kilometers just as the champion accelerated.
The achievement was described as the “four-minute mile of marathon running,” made more remarkable by the fact that Sawe was injured in January and only resumed training in February.
Reflecting on the moment, Sawe said he realized he had broken the barrier only at the finish line, having been so focused on racing Kejelcha. “It is a day to remember for me and my family,” he said.
The Women’s Race Produced Its Own Moment of History
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri finished just 12 seconds behind Assefa, recording a personal best of 2:15:53 on her London Marathon debut, while compatriot Joyciline Jepkosgei completed the podium in 2:15:5, the first time three women had ever run under 2:16 in a single marathon.
Assefa broke clear of Obiri and Jepkosgei on Birdcage Walk, building a lead of more than 30 meters by the time she turned past Buckingham Palace onto The Mall.
“I screamed when I finished because I knew I was breaking the world record,” she said afterwards. “I’m so happy, because I’ve been more focused on my speed work.”
The 2026 TCS London Marathon will be remembered as the day the sport’s two most coveted barriers fell on the same afternoon, on the same course, in front of the same crowd.
