History was made on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the TCS London Marathon, as Kenya's Sabastian Sawe achieved what the world of athletics had long debated and dreamed of: completing a marathon in under two hours in a competitive, record-eligible race. Sawe crossed the finish line in an astonishing one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, etching his name into the annals of sports as the first athlete to officially break this iconic barrier.

This monumental achievement stands distinct from Eliud Kipchoge's previous sub-two-hour run in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in 2019, which was not recognized as a valid world record due to its non-competitive conditions. Sawe's run, however, occurred under full competitive conditions, without the aid of revolving pacers, and witnessed by an estimated 800,000 spectators lining the streets of London. His time was also a remarkable ten seconds faster than Kipchoge’s INEOS run and 65 seconds quicker than the previous official world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum.

Sabastian Sawe, a 31-year-old born in the village of Barsombe in Kenya's Rift Valley Province, was raised primarily by his grandmother in humble surroundings. He honed his running skills while attending St Patrick’s High School in Iten, Kenya’s renowned running town. Despite making his marathon debut only two years prior, winning the 2024 Valencia Marathon in 2:02:05, Sawe has now rewritten the history books.

The circumstances surrounding his record-breaking performance make it even more extraordinary. Sawe battled an injury in January and commenced his training for the London Marathon in February, leaving him with a mere two-month preparation window for the most significant race of his career. The race itself was gripping from the start, with the lead group maintaining a controlled yet ambitious pace, reaching the halfway mark in 1:00:29. The decisive phase unfolded between 30km and 35km, where Sawe and Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha pulled away from the rest of the pack. Sawe then unleashed his final surge with one mile remaining, breaking away from Kejelcha and powering solo to the finish line. His exceptional physical control was evident in his negative split, running the second half of the race in an even faster 59:01.

Upon realizing his historic feat, Sawe shared his exhilaration with reporters: “I feel good, I’m so happy. It is a day to remember for me. We started the race well, and I felt strong as we approached finishing the end. When I got to the finish line, I saw the time and I was so excited.” He added that his thorough preparation for his second appearance in London had culminated in a successful outcome. He also recounted the moment of realization: “I realised when finishing the race because I had been so focused on competing with my friend Yomif. Finally, he dropped and at the finish line I saw I was there in 1:59. And that’s when I realised. It is a day to remember for me and my family.”

The impact of Sawe's achievement resonated throughout the athletics community. Eliud Kipchoge offered his heartfelt congratulations, stating: “My deepest congratulations to both Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha. Breaking the sub-two-hour barrier in the marathon has long been a dream for runners everywhere, and today you’ve made that dream come true.” Former women’s world record holder Paula Radcliffe acknowledged the significance, remarking: “We’ve witnessed history being made, but it is more than that. It is an iconic barrier that there has been this discussion over for a long time about whether it is even possible.”

The 2026 London Marathon also saw other remarkable performances. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished second with an incredible time of 1:59:41, marking the second-fastest marathon time in history and the fastest marathon debut ever recorded. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo secured third place in 2:00:28, a time also inside the previous world record. This singular race showcased three men running under what was once considered an impossible barrier.

Upon his triumphant return to Kenya, Sabastian Sawe was met with a reception befitting a global icon. The Kenyan government honored his historic achievement with a Presidential award of $61,000 (KSh 8 million) and a brand-new car featuring a custom “1:59:30” number plate, solidifying his legacy as a national hero.