Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has made history by becoming the first athlete to complete an official marathon in under two hours, breaking one of the most elusive barriers in long-distance running during the 2026 London Marathon. Sawe crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, setting a new world record and surpassing the previous mark of 2:00:35 held by the late Kelvin Kiptum. The achievement marks the first time the two-hour barrier has been broken in a competitive race under standard rules, distinguishing it from earlier unofficial attempts. Historic race rewrites marathon limits The race in London delivered one of the fastest marathon finishes ever, with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finishing second in 1:59:41, also under two hours, and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo third in 2:00:28. It was the first time in history that multiple runners completed a marathon under the previous world record in a single race, underscoring a new era in elite distance running. Sawe’s performance has been widely described as a landmark moment for athletics, long considered the final frontier of human endurance in the sport. “This race marked a pivotal moment in athletics,” analysts noted, as the barrier that had stood for decades was finally broken under official conditions. The Kenyan runner’s success builds on years of progress in marathon running, driven by advances in training, nutrition and footwear technology, as well as increasingly competitive race environments. Read More: Man Sets Bizarre Guinness World Record by Passing Balloons Through Nose and Mouth From near misses to breakthrough moment The sub-two-hour milestone had previously been approached but never officially achieved. In 2019, fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in 1:59:40, but the effort was not recognised as a world record due to non-standard race conditions. Sawe’s run, however, complied fully with World Athletics regulations, making it the first official sub-two-hour marathon in history. The 29-year-old runner, who has rapidly risen through the ranks of long-distance running, has already built a strong record with victories in major marathons, including London and Berlin in previous years. Experts say the breakthrough could reshape expectations in the sport, with more athletes now likely to target sub-two-hour times in future races. Beyond individual achievement, the performance also highlights Kenya’s continued dominance in distance running, reinforcing its reputation as a global powerhouse in endurance sports. The London Marathon itself, one of the world’s premier road races, has often been a stage for record-breaking performances, but this year’s edition is likely to be remembered as a defining moment in athletics history. Read More: Brazil bowler Laura Cardoso shatters T20 world record with stunning nine-wicket haul