LONDON – In a landmark moment for global athletics, Sabastian Sawe delivered a performance for the ages, becoming the first athlete ever to complete a marathon in under two hours during Sunday’s London Marathon.
According to reporting from the Associated Press, the Kenyan star crossed the finish line in a breathtaking time of 1:59:30, shattering the previous men’s world record by an astonishing 65 seconds. The achievement marks one of the most significant breakthroughs in endurance sports history, long considered an almost impossible barrier.
The race itself turned into a historic showcase of elite distance running. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha stunned in his marathon debut, finishing second in 1:59:41—also under the two-hour mark. Meanwhile, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo clocked 2:00:28, a time still faster than the previous world record set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
The women’s race delivered its own historic moment. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa surged ahead in the final stretch, breaking away with roughly 500 meters remaining to secure victory in 2:15:41. The performance set a new record for a women’s-only marathon, reaffirming her dominance on the global stage.
While Assefa’s time was slightly behind the long-standing course record of Paula Radcliffe—who ran 2:15:25 in a mixed race in 2003—it still stands as one of the fastest performances ever recorded under women-only competition conditions.
Sunday’s results in London may redefine what athletes, and the world—believe is possible in long-distance running.
By The Midtown Times Sports Desk
