London Marathon 2026: Sabastian Sawe breaks two-hour barrier to set new world record - 'I was so excited'

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Sabastian Sawe has become the first man to run a competitive marathon in under two hours, making history at the 2026 London Marathon.

WATCH: Sawe breaks two-hour barrier to set new world record at London Marathon

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Kenyan crossed the line on Sunday morning in 1:59:30 - 65 seconds quicker than the previous record, held by the late Kelvin Kiptum (2:00:35).

Yomif Kejelcha, who finished second, also recorded a sub-two-hour time of 1:59:41 on his London Marathon debut.

Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge was the first to achieve the feat in 2019, but it was not record-eligible, because the marathon was under controlled conditions.

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Sawe went even faster than Kipchoge on Sunday, speeding up in the second half of his race after reaching the halfway mark at 1:00:29.

"I saw the time, and I was so excited," Sawe said. "First of all I want to thank the crowds. They help a lot. They helped a lot. You feel so happy and strong and pushing.

"What comes for me today is not for me alone, but all of us in London."

Asked by the BBC whether he believed he could run a sub-two-hour marathon, Sawe added: "Yes. We started the race well.

"Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. I remember my fellow champion was so competitive. I think he was the one who helped a lot.

"Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited. I am so happy for today. Coming to London for the second time was so important to me, and that's why I prepared well for it.

"Finally, what I had done for four months has come today to be a good result."

Meanwhile, in the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa won for the second successive year, and improved on her own world record with a time of 2:15:41.

She finished ahead of Kenyan pair Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei to take victory.

Assefa breaks own world record to seal second successive London Marathon win

Video credit: TNT Sports

"I am so happy to win again," Assefa said. "I want to thank God for giving me this victory. To repeat my victory means even more.

"The happiness I feel is welling up inside of me. It was one of my plans coming into this competition to break my own world record from last year's race. To do that has brought me a lot of satisfaction.

"I want to thank Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei for making it a great competition. I feel very lucky. I want to thank them on their success. They also ran great races."

Marcel Hug secured a record-equalling eighth London Marathon win in the men's wheelchair race, drawing level with Great Britain's David Weir for the most victories ever.

Hug's compatriot Catherine Debrunner retained the women's wheelchair title after beating the United States' Tatyana McFadden to the line.

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