Historic Sub-2 Marathon Achieved: Kenyan Runner Sabeh Breaks World Record in London 2026
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[CBC News] The marathon’s full-course two-hour barrier finally fell.
Kenyan Sebastian Sawe won the men’s race at the 2026 London Marathon in London, England, on April 26 (Korean time), covering 42.195㎞ (26.219 miles) in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. Sawe trimmed 1 minute and 5 seconds off Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record of 2:00:35, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, becoming the first athlete in history to complete a marathon in under two hours — the historic “sub-2” achievement.
Second-place Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia crossed the line in 1:59:41, producing the race’s second sub-2 finish. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished third in 2:00:28, also beating the previous world record.
Sawe maintained a steady, controlled pace from the start, laying the groundwork for the record-breaking performance.
Meanwhile, the women’s race produced a world record as well.
Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa finished in 2:15:41, shaving nine seconds off the world record she set at this event last year (2:15:50).
World Athletics separates women’s road records into mixed-gender races and women-only races when ratifying marks.
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