Sawe Makes Marathon History

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe shattered the marathon world record at the 2026 London Marathon in April, becoming the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier in an official race. This feat had previously been accomplished by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019, but his sub-two-hour marathon was completed under controlled conditions with pacers and was not recognized as an official record.

For years, a sub-two hour marathon was considered an impossible feat for distance runners. Even among elite athletes and coaches, it was believed it would take decades before anyone could achieve it in a sanctioned race, because previous attempts at breaking the world record usually only shaved off a few seconds at a time. However, the performances at the 2026 London Marathon completely redefined these expectations. 

Sawe finished the race with a time of 1:59:31, breaking the previous world record set by Kelvin Kiptum (2:00:35) by over a minute. Sawe’s average pace throughout the race was approximately 4:33 per mile, and he maintained that speed consistently for the full 26.2 miles. From the start, Sawe positioned himself near the front of the lead pack rather than breaking away early which helped him conserve energy while also staying close to the leaders. 

With the help of pacemakers in the early stages of the race, Sawe maintained a steady rhythm through the opening half and ran the first 13.1 miles in 60 minutes and 29 seconds. He then significantly increased his pace in the second half, completing it in 59 minutes and 1 second. This negative split demonstrated both his endurance and race strategy, as he was able to accelerate while many others began to slow down. 

In an interview reflecting on his journey, Sawe reflected on the road behind his success, explaining how his career began after secondary school and had many setbacks. “I got through a lot of injuries and I think because of never giving up it has now pa[id], and I’m happy for what has come in my journey of athletics right now,” he said, highlighting the persistence behind his performance.

When asked about the conditions on race day, Sawe pointed to the weather and pacing. “Everything was good, start from the weather, and also the pacers did a nice job and the feel was strong,” he added. This combination of ideal conditions and strong pacing helped create the perfect environment for a record-breaking performance. 

Sawe’s training intensity leading up to the marathon also contributed to his performance with his coach, Claudio Berardelli, highlighting his heavy training load leading up to the London Marathon. “In the last six weeks, he was averaging 200 kilometers, 125 miles, or more per week, with a peak of 241 kilometers, 150 miles,” Berardelli said. “I knew he was in great shape for Berlin, but the conditions did not allow him to show it. When I saw how he was running before London, I thought something special could happen.” Sawe’s hard work and dedication set him up for a good race, which was further amplified by the London Marathon’s reputation as one of the fastest marathon courses. 

The London marathon is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after races in distance running, known for its flat course that runs through the city. Its layout and minimal elevation changes makes it the frequent stage for world-record attempts. 

This year’s race was one of the most remarkable marathons in history, with all three podium finishers producing world record times. Sawe was pushed by runner-up Yomif Kejelcha, who also broke the two-hour barrier with an astonishing time of 1:59:41. The third-place finisher crossed the line in 2:00:14, also faster than the previous world record time. 

These performances also reflect the evolution of modern marathon training and racing. Sawe benefited from advanced pacing strategies, high-mileage training, and modern racing shoes designed to improve performance. Elite marathon running is becoming more competitive at the highest level, and athletes are now reaching times that were once seen as impossible.

When asked if his next landmark was a sub-1:59 marathon, Sawe responded, “It’s only a matter of time…Nothing is impossible. Everything is possible.” His response not only reflected his confidence after the race, but also captured the shift happening in marathon running itself. What was once considered an impossible feat has now officially been accomplished, and runners are continuing to redefine the limits of the sport.