Sawe makes history with first sub-two-hour marathon in London

TL;DR

Sabastian Sawe made history by becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon, finishing in 1hr 59min 30sec at the London Marathon. Tigst Assefa also set a new women's-only world record during the event.

Key points

Sabastian Sawe ran a sub-two-hour marathon
He finished in 1hr 59min 30sec
Tigst Assefa set a new women's-only world record
The event took place in London
Sawe predicted an exciting race

Mentioned in this story

London

Sabastian SaweTigst AssefaLondon Marathon

Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa wins the London Marathon in a new women's-only world-record time (JUSTIN TALLIS)

(JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP)

Sabastian Sawe made history on Sunday by becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon as Tigst Assefa smashed her own women's-only world record on the streets of London.

Kenya's Sawe came into the race predicting fireworks and delivered in spectacular style, crossing the line in 1hr 59min 30sec in a race for the ages.

Astonishingly, the top three men all finished inside the previous men's world record of 2:00:35 set in Chicago in 2023 by the late Kelvin Kiptum.

Defending London Marathon champion Sawe was locked in a tight battle with Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha in the closing stages but surged clear.

Kejelcha, running his first-ever marathon, notched a time of 1:59:41 -- the fastest debut ever -- with Uganda's Jacob Kiplomo third (2:00:28).

A delighted Sawe said he went into the race, run in warm spring weather, believing he could break the two-hour mark.

"I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me," said the 31-year-old, whose winning time was scribbled on his shoe.

"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.... Coming to London for the second time was so important to me and that's why I prepared well for it.

"Finally, what I had done for four months it has come today to be a good result."

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 in October 2019, becoming the first person in recorded history to complete a sub-two-hour marathon.

But the time was not ratified as a world record because he ran with specialised shoes, standard competition rules for pacing and fluids were not followed, and it was not an open event.

Sawe, wearing Adidas's new Pro Evo 3 supershoe, which weighs less than 100 grams, suggested in the lead-up to Sunday's race that a course record or even a world record was in his sights.

He led a group of six, which also included Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and half-marathon world-record holder Kiplimo as they passed the half-way point in a time of 1:00:29.

Q&A

Who is the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon?

Sabastian Sawe is the first athlete to achieve a sub-two-hour marathon, finishing in 1hr 59min 30sec.

What was Tigst Assefa's new women's-only world record time?

Tigst Assefa set a new women's-only world record at the London Marathon, although the specific time is not provided in the excerpt.

When did Sabastian Sawe complete the historic marathon?

Sabastian Sawe completed the historic sub-two-hour marathon on Sunday during the London Marathon.

What was the significance of the London Marathon for Sawe and Assefa?

The London Marathon was significant as Sabastian Sawe became the first to run a sub-two-hour marathon and Tigst Assefa broke her own women's-only world record.