Sabastian Kimaru Sawe made history at the TCS London Marathon on April 26, 2026, becoming the first man to run an official, record‑eligible marathon in under two hours.
Sawe, a 31‑year‑old born on March 16, 1995, became the first man ever to run an official, record‑eligible marathon in under two hours. He crossed the finish line in an astonishing 1:59:30, breaking the previous men’s marathon world record by a massive 65 seconds.
Sawe’s race stood out not only because of the time, but because of how it unfolded. He reached the halfway point in 1:00:29 and then increased his pace in the second half of the race, running an exceptional 59:01.
Finishing a marathon faster in the second half than the first is extremely rare at the elite level and highlighted Sawe’s strength, discipline, and control. The run marked one of the biggest breakthroughs the marathon has ever seen.
Sawe’s journey to the top began far from the world’s major race stages. He grew up in Barsombe, in Kenya’s Rift Valley region of Uasin Gishu County, where running long distances to school was part of daily life.
He was raised mainly by his grandmother in modest conditions and lived without electricity for much of his childhood. An uncle who had once been a runner inspired him, and from an early age, Sawe developed a passion for distance running.
Unlike many elite athletes, Sawe did not come through the traditional global track system. He emerged later in his career, gaining international attention in 2023 when he won the half‑marathon world title.
That victory announced his arrival on the world stage and paved the way for him to move into the full marathon.
Sawe has won all four races he has entered: his debut in Valencia in 2024, where he ran 2:02:05; his victory in London in 2025 in 2:02:27; his win in Berlin later in 2025 in 2:02:16; and his historic title defense in London in 2026, where he set the world record.
After crossing the finish line in London, Sawe described the moment as “a day to remember” and dedicated the achievement to Kenya.
Of the last 10 official men’s world marathon records, eight have been set by Kenyan runners, and only interruptions came in 2007 and 2008, when Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie briefly held the record.
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Modern Record‑Breaking Era Led by Kenya
- Sabastian Kimaru Sawe (Kenya)
1:59:30 – London, 26 April 2026
At the age of 31, Sawe delivered one of the most impressive marathon performances ever recorded. He finished the race very strongly, running the last part faster than the first, including extremely quick sections between 30 and 40 kilometers.
Sawe also ran the fastest single mile ever recorded during a marathon. Sawe remains unbeaten in every marathon he has competed in.
- Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot (Kenya)
2:00:35 – Chicago, 8 October 2023
Born on December 2, 1999, in Chepkorio, Kiptum made history by breaking the world record in only his third marathon. He also won the London Marathon in 2023 and ran the fastest marathon debut ever in Valencia. His career was cut tragically short when he died in a car accident in February 2024 at the age of 24. - Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
2:01:09 – Berlin, 25 September 2022
After a successful career on the track, he switched to marathon running in 2013. Between 2014 and 2019, he won 10 consecutive marathons and set new standards for consistency and excellence in the sport. - Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)
2:01:39 – Berlin, 16 September 2018
This was Kipchoge’s first world record, which marked the beginning of a dominant period in which he helped redefine what was considered possible in the marathon.
Also Read: Profile of Sabastian Sawe, First Man to Run a Marathon in Under 2 Hours
Foundations and the Early Wave of Marathon Record Progression
- Dennis Kimetto (Kenya)
2:02:57 – Berlin, 28 September 2014
Kimetto became the first man to run under 2:03, with a record that stood for nearly four years. - Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (Kenya)
2:03:23 – Berlin, 29 September 2013
Kipsang briefly held the world record after lowering it by 15 seconds. - Patrick Makau Musyoki (Kenya)
2:03:38 – Berlin, 25 September 2011
Makau broke Haile Gebrselassie’s record and helped begin Kenya’s long period of dominance. - Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)
2:03:59 – Berlin, 28 September 2008
One of the sport’s all‑time greats, Gebrselassie successfully moved from the track to the marathon, improving his own record. - Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia)
2:04:26 – Berlin, 30 September 2007
This performance ended Paul Tergat’s reign and remains Ethiopia’s only break in Kenya’s modern dominance. - Paul Tergat (Kenya)
2:04:55 – Berlin, 28 September 2003
Tergat became the first Kenyan to officially hold the marathon world record after breaking the 2:05 barrier. He later served on the International Olympic Committee.
