Sabastian Sawe, the Kenyan runner, crossed the finish line first in the London Marathon on Sunday, but the exact time remains a subject of confusion. According to multiple media reports, Sawe's winning time was 1:59:30, a world record that would make him the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race under World Athletics conditions. However, other sources report a time of 2:02:27, which would be the second fastest time ever recorded in London. The previous world record of 2:00:35 was held by Kelvin Kiptum, and if the 1:59:30 time is correct, Sawe would have broken it by 65 seconds. The discrepancy has not been officially resolved, and race organizers have not yet confirmed the official time.
In his post-race interview, Sawe expressed surprise at the record, saying he was focused on retaining his title. He also stated that he believes he can run even faster, possibly 1:58. Before the race, Sawe had predicted that the course record could be beaten, and he credited his shoes as being of world record quality. Sawe's average speed during the race was approximately 21.2 km/h, according to multiple reports.
Sawe's journey to the top of marathon running began in his childhood. He was raised by his grandmother and moved to Iten, Kenya, in 2017 to pursue a career in running. His coach is Italian Claudio Berardelli, who has guided him through his career. Sawe is known as the 'silent assassin', according to his agent and coach, and he has fully recovered from a stress fracture in his foot and a back injury, his coach confirmed.
The shoes worn by Sawe have also drawn attention. Multiple reports indicate that Sawe wore Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes, which weigh 96 grams. However, some sources claim he wore the Adizero Pro Evo 2 model. The discrepancy in shoe model is relevant for performance claims and marketing. Second-placed Yomif Kejelcha also wore the same Adidas shoes, according to multiple reports. Adidas shares rose about two percent after the marathon, and the company's contract with Sawe included funding extra anti-doping testing. The Adizero series has shattered 26 world records since 2020, according to research. In the London and Boston Marathons combined, Adidas Adizero Pro Evo shoes secured five of twelve podium spots, according to research.
In the women's race, Tigst Assefa won the elite race, but her winning time is also disputed. Multiple reports state she won in 2:15:41, while other sources report a women-only world record time of 2:15:50. Assefa wore Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 1 shoes in the London Marathon, according to research. Joyciline Jepkosgei finished second in 2:18:44, and Sifan Hassan finished third in 2:19:00, according to research.
Will you celebrate with fish and chips and a beer?
In the wheelchair races, Marcel Hug won the men's race for the sixth consecutive year, and Catherine Debrunner defended her women's title, according to multiple reports.
Other elite results include Jacob Kiplimo finishing second in the men's London Marathon in 2:03:37, a Ugandan record, according to research. Alexander Mutiso Munyao finished third in 2:04:20. In the Boston Marathon, Alphonce Simbu finished second in 2:05:04, and Cybrian Kotut finished third in 2:05:04, according to research.
A post-race interview with Sawe sparked controversy when BBC presenter Gabby Logan asked him if he would celebrate with fish and chips and a beer. Sawe appeared confused by the question and laughed nervously, according to multiple reports. Social media users criticized Logan's question as inappropriate. Sawe had earlier thanked the crowds in his post-race interview.
At the Adizero: Road to Records event, Agnes Jebet Ngetich set a women-only 10km world record of 29:27, according to research. The event saw 11 records broken, including two U20 world records, four continental records, and four national records. Additionally, Jacob Kiplimo shattered the half-marathon world record with a time of 57:20, according to research.
Sawe's pacing strategy involved pacemakers aiming for a halfway time of 60 minutes and 30 seconds, according to his agent Eric Lilot. Sawe's preparation included full recovery from injuries, as confirmed by his coach.
Several unknowns remain. The correct winning time for Sebastian Sawe in the London Marathon has not been confirmed, nor has the exact Adidas shoe model he wore. The correct winning time for Tigist Assefa in the women's race is also uncertain. The exact nature of the controversy around Gabby Logan's interview question has been debated, but the question was widely criticized. If the 1:59:30 time is incorrect, Sawe's time would still be the second fastest in London history, but not a world record.