The marathon’s ultimate barrier finally cracked on Sunday as Sabastian Sawe produced a run for the ages to win the London Marathon 2026 in a scarcely believable 1:59:30.
On a cool spring morning that quickly turned electric, the 30-year-old Kenyan sliced through 42.195km with ruthless precision to become the first athlete to go under two hours in a certified race.
Sawe’s time obliterated the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, lowering it by a staggering 65 seconds in what will be remembered as a seismic moment in road running.
“I am feeling good, I am so happy,” Sawe told BBC Sport. “It is a day to remember.
“We started the race well and approaching the end of the race, I was feeling strong and I remember the Ethiopian was so competitive. I think he helped me a lot. Finally, reaching the finish line, I saw the time, I was so excited.
“Today showed me there is time for everyone. I am so happy. I was well prepared. Coming to London for the second time was important to me.
“I want to thank the crowd for cheering for us. I think they had a lot for me because I feel so happy and strong and [was] pushing. What happened today was not for me alone, but for everyone in London.”
If Sawe’s performance lit the fuse, Yomif Kejelchapoured fuel on the fire.
The Ethiopian, making his marathon debut, clocked 1:59:41 to finish 11 seconds adrift, ensuring that two men broke the mythical two-hour mark in the same race. His relentless presence in the latter stages helped turn the closing kilometres into a high-speed duel against both the clock and convention.
Further back, Jacob Kiplimo underlined the extraordinary pace by finishing third in 2:00:28, a time faster than the previous world record.
We’re going to need a few days to recover from this one… 😮💨
2 men under 2 hours. 3 men breaking the world record.
Eluid Kipchoge congratulates Sawe and Kejelcha on breaking sub-2 hours in London
The sub-two-hour milestone had long stood as the sport’s holy grail. Eliud Kipchogedipped below it during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, though that effortfell outside official record conditions. In London, the barrier gave way under the weight of a competitive race, pending ratification by World Athletics.
Kipchoge, now easing away from elite racing, hailed the breakthrough.
“Today is a historical day for marathon running!” he said.
“Seeing two athletes break the magical 2-hour barrier at London Marathon is the proof that we are just at the beginning of what is possible when talent, progress and an unwavering belief in the human potential come together. My deepest congratulations to both Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha.
“Breaking the sub-two-hour barrier in the marathon has long been a dream for runners everywhere, and today, you’ve made that dream come true.
“During the INEOS 1:59 Challenge we showed the world that it was possible and it has always been my hope to see another athlete continue with this belief and break this magical barrier in a city marathon.
“Let this achievement inspire the next generation and remind everyone in the world that No Human Is Limited.”
Sabastian Sawe storms to 1:59:30 in London, breaking the marathon’s ultimate barrier. Photo: https://x.com/WorldAthletics
Beyond the history, there was also a significant payday. Sawe earned $55,000 for the win, along with a $125,000 world record bonus and a further $150,000 incentive for breaking 2:02, taking his confirmed earnings to around KSh 42.3 million, excluding sponsor deals with brands such as Adidas.
Earlier, the women’s race delivered another record-breaking display as Tigst Assefa successfully defended her title in 2:15:40, trimming 10 seconds off her own world record.
She held off a strong challenge from Hellen Obiri, who finished in 2:15:53, with Joyciline Jepkosgei completing the podium.
With two official sub-two performances on the cards and records tumbling across both races, London 2026 may well be remembered as the day the marathon’s limits were redrawn.
It was a historic day in Berlin as PUMA athlete Amanal Petros once again raised the bar on home soil. Racing in the FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 3, Petros shattered his own national record and clocked a personal best of 59:22.
His third-place finish was nine seconds faster than his 2025 performance, proving that his recent training block in Kenya is paying off in a big way.
A Record-Breaking Day in Berlin
Petros wasn’t the only one celebrating a career-defining run. The PUMA women’s roster also turned heads with massive performances:
Esther Pfeiffer (Germany): The four-time national champion shaved three seconds off her PB, finishing 5th with a stellar time of 67:25.
Chloe Herbiet (Belgium): In a truly standout performance, Herbiet sliced over two and a half minutes off her previous best. Her time of 67:32 set a new Belgian national record.
“To hit such a big personal best and set a new national record feels amazing,” said Herbiet. “I came into today feeling confident after training with the PUMA Elite Running Team in North Carolina, but this even exceeded my own expectations.”
The Tech Behind the Speed
These results continue to cement the FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 3 as the shoe to beat. Engineered specifically to “obliterate personal bests,” it has become the most coveted piece of gear in the PUMA lineup over the last year.
What’s Next?
The momentum is clearly building for the rest of the 2026 season. Petros is already eyeing the podium at the London Marathon next month, while Herbiet looks to carry this energy into a massive year of racing.
With stars like Fiona O’Keeffe and Rory Linkletter also on the roster, the PUMA team is looking faster than ever.
Want to learn more about the gear? Check out www.puma.com for the latest updates.
