Kenyan Runner Sebastian Sawe Makes History by Winning London Marathon in Under Two Hours

This performance makes him the first man in history to complete an official marathon in less than two hours. The race took place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, and Sawe shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum. His victory not only secured the win but also marked a significant milestone in long-distance running.

Sawe has been on an impressive rise in the marathon scene. Before this race, he had won all three of his previous marathons, posting very fast times that placed him among the top performers globally. Coming into London as the defending champion from the previous year, he showed strong form and determination throughout the 42.195-kilometre course. The cool conditions and favourable weather in the later stages likely helped him maintain a record-breaking pace from start to finish.

This sub-two-hour run is a major breakthrough for the sport. For many years, experts wondered when an athlete would officially break the two-hour barrier in a standard marathon race. Sawe’s achievement comes after several close attempts by top runners and builds on the progress made by Kenyan and other East African athletes who have dominated the distance in recent times. It highlights the continued excellence of Kenyan runners on the world stage.

The London Marathon is one of the biggest and most competitive races in the world, attracting thousands of participants and top elite athletes. Sawe’s historic time adds to the event’s legacy and will inspire many young runners back home in Kenya and across Africa. Fans and sports enthusiasts are now looking forward to seeing how this record stands and whether other athletes will challenge it in future major marathons. This win further cements Sawe’s place as one of the greatest marathoners of his generation.