Historic: Two-Hour Barrier Broken at the London Marathon
What seemed impossible for decades has finally become reality. Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe won the London Marathon 2026 with a time of 1:59:30, becoming the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in this distance. An achievement that marks a before and after in the history of world athletics.
With this mark, Sawe surpassed the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023. Beyond taking the victory, the African runner accomplished something that for years had been considered virtually unattainable: completing an official marathon in under two hours.
The Limit That Seemed Impossible
The two-hour barrier was always seen as the ultimate limit for marathon runners. For years, the best athletes in the world came close to that mark, but no one had managed to break it in an officially sanctioned competition. Eliud Kipchoge came very close when he ran under that time in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge, although that mark was not recognized due to the special conditions of the event, specifically designed to favor the record.
To understand the magnitude of this achievement, it’s enough to note that very few runners had come close to that mark. In this edition of the London Marathon 2026, not only did Sebastian Sawe shine, but also Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha, who finished second with an impressive time of 1:59:41, also becoming part of history.
Both athletes shattered the world record and raised the competitive level of marathon running to an unprecedented point. Their times represent a new era for the discipline and set an extremely difficult benchmark for future generations.
A Moment That Redefines the Sport
With this victory, Sebastian Sawe adds another milestone to a career that continues to grow. He had already triumphed in major international marathons and now adds the most important result of his career: becoming the first human to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon.
The London Marathon 2026 will be remembered as the stage for one of the most extraordinary achievements in the history of sports.
