Sebastian Sawe runs 1:59:30 at London Marathon — potential first sub‑2‑hour record‑eligible marathon pending ratification

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya ran the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds on Sunday, a result widely reported as the first sub-two-hour marathon in record-eligible competition and a new men’s world record, pending formal ratification by World Athletics.

The time, set at the elite London Marathon on Sunday, cut 65 seconds off the previous official men’s world record of 2:00:35, which fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum ran at the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 8, 2023. Just as significant, Sawe’s performance would make him the first man to break two hours in an open marathon under record-eligible conditions if World Athletics approves the mark.

The men’s race was remarkable not only for Sawe’s winning time, but also for its depth. Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia finished second in 1:59:41 in his marathon debut, and Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda was third in 2:00:28. Both performances were also faster than Kiptum’s previous official world record.

That distinction matters because distance running has already seen one sub-two-hour marathon, though not one accepted for record purposes. Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran 1:59:40.2 in Vienna on Oct. 12, 2019, proving the barrier could be broken physically. But that run was staged in non-record-eligible conditions rather than in an open race, so it was not recognized as an official world record.

Sawe’s London result is therefore being treated as a different kind of milestone: a sub-two-hour marathon achieved in a race that is widely viewed as record-eligible. Still, world-record status in track and field is not final on race day. World Athletics must complete its ratification process, which includes post-race doping control, verification that the course measurement met requirements, and submission of the necessary record paperwork.

Sawe’s rise at the distance has been rapid. He reportedly won the 2025 London Marathon and had opened his marathon career with a 2:02:05 run in Valencia on Dec. 1, 2024.

In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa won in 2:15:41, a time widely reported as the fastest ever in a women’s-only marathon.