Sebastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon on Sunday, crossing the finish line in 1:59:30 to become the first runner to complete a sub-two-hour marathon in an officially sanctioned event. The time shatters the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum, according to multiple reports. Eliud Kipchoge had previously run under two hours in an unofficial race, but Sawe's achievement marks a milestone for competitive marathon running. The 27-year-old Kenyan averaged about 21.2 km/h over the 42.195 km course, according to major media outlets.
Sawe's record has sparked debate over the role of his footwear. He wore Adidas Pro Evo 3 shoes, which weigh 97 grams and are described as the lightest competition shoes ever produced by Adidas, according to multiple reports. However, some sources indicate he wore the Adizero Pro Evo 2 model, which features three millimeters more Lightstrike Pro Evo foam under the forefoot than its predecessor, giving five percent more energy return, according to research. NRK commentator Jann Post speculated about the role of the lightweight shoes in Sawe's record. Sawe himself said at a press conference, "My shoes were of world record quality." The Adizero Pro Evo series has helped athletes break five world records and win over thirty major races since 2023, according to research. The Adizero series overall has shattered 26 World Records since 2020, according to research.
Yomif Kejelcha finished second with a time of 1:59:41, also under two hours, according to major media outlets. Jacob Kiplimo, who was considered Sawe's main rival, finished second in the men's race with 2:03:37, a Ugandan record, according to research. Alexander Mutiso Munyao took third in 2:04:20, according to research. Kiplimo had shattered the half-marathon world record with 57:20 last month, according to research. Sawe's agent, Eric Lilot, said at a press conference, "We will ask pacemakers to go through halfway in 60 minutes and 30 seconds." Alex Yee acted as a pacemaker in the marathon, according to major media outlets.
My training was better than last year and I thought it possible to beat my own record.
In the women's elite race, Tigst Assefa won with a time of 2:15:41, securing back-to-back victories, according to major media outlets. Some reports list her time as 2:15:50, which would be a women's-only world record. Assefa wore Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 1 shoes in London, according to research. At a press conference, she said, "My training was better than last year and I thought it possible to beat my own record." Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second in 2:18:44, and Sifan Hassan finished third in 2:19:00, according to research.
In the wheelchair races, Marcel Hug won the men's event for the sixth consecutive year and eighth time overall, according to major media outlets. Catherine Debrunner defended her women's wheelchair title, according to major media outlets.
Pre-race storylines included Sawe's recovery from injuries. According to research, Sawe fully recovered from a stress fracture in his foot after Berlin and a back injury in December. The Guardian called him the 'silent assassin' and suggested he might break the world marathon record in London. Emile Cairess withdrew due to a calf issue, according to major media outlets.
We will ask pacemakers to go through halfway in 60 minutes and 30 seconds.
Adidas shoe technology has been central to recent record-breaking performances. At the Adizero: Road to Records event, Agnes Jebet Ngetich set a women's-only 10km world record of 29:27 wearing Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, according to research. At the same event, 11 records were broken: two U20 world records, four continental records, and four national records, according to research. In the Boston Marathon, Alphonce Simbu finished second and Cybrian Kotut finished third, both wearing Adidas Pro Evo 2, according to research.
Gabby Logan, a BBC Sport presenter, faced backlash on social media after suggesting Sawe celebrate with fish and chips and a beer, according to major media outlets. The comment was widely criticized as culturally insensitive. It is unclear whether Logan faced any formal consequences or issued an apology.
Several unresolved questions remain. The exact edition of the London Marathon being reported is unclear, as times differ drastically between sources (1:59:30 vs 2:02:27), suggesting different years or races. The precise shoe model worn by Sawe in the record race is disputed between Pro Evo 2 and Pro Evo 3. The official time for Tigst Assefa's victory is also uncertain, with reports of both 2:15:41 and 2:15:50. Adidas has not issued an official statement regarding the shoe technology's role in the record.