Kenya's Sawe becomes first man to run marathon under two hours
By Xinhua Published: Apr 26, 2026 07:36 PM
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe clocked a winning time of one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds in the 2026 London Marathon on Sunday, becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.
The 31-year-old broke the previous world record of 2:00:35 held by the late Kelvin Kiptum, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Runner-up Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia also shattered the two-hour barrier in 1:59:41, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo took bronze in 2:00:28.
Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia broke her own women's only world record in 2:15:41, beating the record of 2:15:50 she set last year in London.
Kenyans Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second and third, respectively.