Historic Victory: Sabastian Sawe Becomes First Athlete to Run a Marathon Under Two Hours

On Sunday morning, 31-year-old Kenyan Sabastian Sawe made history by becoming the first athlete in the world to complete a marathon in under two hours, finishing the London Marathon in an astonishing time of one hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. This monumental achievement is a dream realized for many of the world's elite distance runners. Previously, in 2019, Sawe's fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge completed the Vienna Marathon in one hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds. However, his record was not sanctioned by the International Athletics Federation, as it was achieved in a controlled environment using specific aids, including 41 pacers who helped maintain an optimal running pace. Before Sawe's groundbreaking performance, the marathon world record holder was Kelvin Kiptum from Kenya, who ran the Chicago Marathon in two hours and 35 seconds in 2023. Tragically, Kiptum lost his life in a car accident at the age of 24 the following year. Born on March 16, 1995, and coached by Italian Claudio Berardelli, Sabastian Sawe embarked on his marathon journey in 2024, marking his debut with a victory at the Valencia Marathon, clocking in at two hours, two minutes, and five seconds. Sawe has since continued his winning streak, having taken first place in both the Berlin Marathon and the London Marathon in the subsequent years. After crossing the finish line in London, Sawe shared his emotions with the BBC, calling it 'a day to remember.' He noted that he started the race at a strong pace and felt incredibly well, even as he approached the end. His average speed shifted notably during the race, dropping from an impressive two minutes and 53 seconds per kilometer at the 30-kilometer mark to an exhilarating two minutes and 40 seconds in the final stretch. Sawe's achievement has inspired many, and on the same day, fellow Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha also finished under the two-hour mark, completing the race in one hour, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds, nearly matching Kipchoge's time from 2019. This landmark moment signals a new chapter in marathon running, with Sawe setting the gold standard for aspiring long-distance athletes around the globe. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3