Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon Sunday by becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.
The 30-year-old Kenyan crossed the line to win in one hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, more than one minute faster than the late Kelvin Kiptum’s previous record of 2:00:35, set in 2023.
The great Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019, but that was not record-eligible as it was held under controlled conditions.
Already on world record pace as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, Sawe was able to speed up over the second half of the race to run even faster than Kipchoge’s time.
Sawe made his decisive move before the final 10km, with only debutant Yomif Kejelcha able to cover his surge off the front.
Remarkably, Kejelcha became the second man to run under two hours in race conditions, finishing runner-up in 1:59:41.
Half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo also crossed the line faster than Kiptum’s former record, completing the podium in 2:00:28.
Sawe, speaking on BBC TV, said: “I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me.”
”We started the race well. Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited.”
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa improved her own world record for a women-only field as she surged clear of Kenyan rivals Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in a thrilling finish to retain her title in 2:15:41.
Swiss great Marcel Hug cruised to a record-equalling eighth London Marathon victory in the elite men’s wheelchair race, tying level with Great Britain’s David Weir by winning for a sixth successive year.
Catherine Debrunner also retained the elite women’s wheelchair title as the Swiss burst clear of American Tatyana McFadden in the closing stages. (BBC)
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