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An amazing achievement and for 2 people to go under 2 hours is incredible - well done also to Kejelcha - a fantastic race
www.bbc.co.uk
Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist
Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon 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, making his marathon debut, 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.
27 - targeting Kiptum's London Marathon course record of 2
25.
He told BBC Sport this week that it was "only a matter of time" before he broke Kiptum's world record, adding "I hope and wish one day [it will be me]" when asked about becoming the first person to run under two hours in a race.
Sawe had targeted Kiptum's world record in Berlin last September, when he went through halfway in 60:16, before that bid was ultimately undone by the hot weather.
But, in perfect race conditions in London, Sawe stormed down The Mall to achieve that historic feat, doing so in a time which was once considered impossible.
BBC commentator and former world champion Steve Cram said: "There are things that happen in sport and you want to be there to see history being made - if you are watching on TV then well done, but if you're in London, it is a privilege and it is incredible.
"We said it was a day for records but I don't think in our wildest dreams we could have foreseen this."
03:22
Figure caption,
'I am so happy' - Sawe reacts to winning London marathon
After covering the first half of the course in 60:29, Sawe moved through the gears to complete the second half in just 59:01.
Only 63 men in history have run a half marathon as quickly as that - with Sawe's own personal best standing at 58:05.
His splits continued to quicken as he chased down his target, clocking 13:54 for the five kilometres from 30-35km, and 13:42 for the 35-40km stretch - an average pace of 2:45 per kilometre.
"This will reverberate around the world," said former women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.
"The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running and where you benchmark yourself as being world-class.
"It is a lesson to everybody out there. We say 'don't go out too fast' - they went out smartly and paced it really well."
03:24
Figure caption,
Pundits react to Sawe's landmark sub-two-hour marathon
Kitted out in sponsor Adidas' latest supershoes, Sawe, who has won all four marathons he has contested, managed to take two minutes and 35 seconds off his marathon personal best.
He has sought to ensure confidence in his performances by undergoing frequent drug tests and was tested 25 times before competing in Berlin, where he faded to finish in 216.
"I want to thank the crowds for cheering us. I think they help a lot, because if it was not for them, you don't feel like you are so loved," Sawe said.
"I think they help a lot because them calling makes you feel so happy and strong and pushing.
"That is why I can say what comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London."
Reacting to Sawe's record, Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah said: "We've waited long enough to see a human go sub-two.
"That's always been the question that we've asked. We've just witnessed something incredible."
London Marathon 2026 results: Sabastian Sawe makes history with first competitive sub-two-hour marathon
Sabastian Sawe makes history at the London Marathon as the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.
www.bbc.co.uk
Harry Poole
BBC Sport journalist
Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon 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, making his marathon debut, 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.
How Sawe achieved sporting immortality in London
Much of the focus beforehand had been about Sawe - winner of last year's race in 227 - targeting Kiptum's London Marathon course record of 225.He told BBC Sport this week that it was "only a matter of time" before he broke Kiptum's world record, adding "I hope and wish one day [it will be me]" when asked about becoming the first person to run under two hours in a race.
Sawe had targeted Kiptum's world record in Berlin last September, when he went through halfway in 60:16, before that bid was ultimately undone by the hot weather.
But, in perfect race conditions in London, Sawe stormed down The Mall to achieve that historic feat, doing so in a time which was once considered impossible.
BBC commentator and former world champion Steve Cram said: "There are things that happen in sport and you want to be there to see history being made - if you are watching on TV then well done, but if you're in London, it is a privilege and it is incredible.
"We said it was a day for records but I don't think in our wildest dreams we could have foreseen this."
Figure caption,
'I am so happy' - Sawe reacts to winning London marathon
After covering the first half of the course in 60:29, Sawe moved through the gears to complete the second half in just 59:01.
Only 63 men in history have run a half marathon as quickly as that - with Sawe's own personal best standing at 58:05.
His splits continued to quicken as he chased down his target, clocking 13:54 for the five kilometres from 30-35km, and 13:42 for the 35-40km stretch - an average pace of 2:45 per kilometre.
"This will reverberate around the world," said former women's marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.
"The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running and where you benchmark yourself as being world-class.
"It is a lesson to everybody out there. We say 'don't go out too fast' - they went out smartly and paced it really well."
'We've witnessed something incredible'
Figure caption,
Pundits react to Sawe's landmark sub-two-hour marathon
Kitted out in sponsor Adidas' latest supershoes, Sawe, who has won all four marathons he has contested, managed to take two minutes and 35 seconds off his marathon personal best.
He has sought to ensure confidence in his performances by undergoing frequent drug tests and was tested 25 times before competing in Berlin, where he faded to finish in 2
16."I want to thank the crowds for cheering us. I think they help a lot, because if it was not for them, you don't feel like you are so loved," Sawe said.
"I think they help a lot because them calling makes you feel so happy and strong and pushing.
"That is why I can say what comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London."
Reacting to Sawe's record, Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah said: "We've waited long enough to see a human go sub-two.
"That's always been the question that we've asked. We've just witnessed something incredible."