Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier with marathon world record in London

by Yoon Juhye Posted : April 26, 2026, 20:48Updated : April 26, 2026, 20:48

Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe crosses the finish line to win the men’s race at the London Marathon in London on April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yonhap)

The marathon’s long-standing two-hour barrier has been broken for the first time in history.

Sebastian Sawe of Kenya won the men’s race at the 2026 London Marathon on April 26 (local time), finishing the 42.195-kilometer course in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds.

His time surpassed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. Sawe is now the first runner to complete an official full marathon in under two hours.

* This article has been translated by AI.

Yoon Juhye