Sabastian Sawe won the 2026 London Marathon with a time of 1:59:30, according to multiple media reports. The time breaks the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum, and marks the first time a marathon has been legally completed in under two hours, major media sources reported. Sawe, who is reported to be 31 years old, is coached by Claudio Berardelli. According to multiple reports, Sawe asked his uncle, former Olympic middle-distance runner Abraham Chepkirwok, for help in 2020. Sawe had not raced internationally until age 26, and has won all of his first three marathons, including London last year, according to multiple sources.
Sawe's main rival was Ugandan Jacob Kiplimo, according to multiple reports. Kiplimo came second to Sawe in London last year with a time of 2:03:37 in his marathon debut, according to research sources. The race dynamics saw Sawe pull away in the final kilometers to secure the historic victory.
Sawe's shoes were Adidas Pro Evo 3s, according to multiple media reports. According to The Independent - Sport, Sawe described his shoes as being of world record quality. The Adidas dominance extended beyond Sawe: Tigist Assefa wore Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 1 shoes during the London Marathon, according to research sources. Alexander Mutiso Munyao took third place in the men's race wearing Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 2, according to research sources. Adidas Adizero shoes took five of the twelve podium spots in the London and Boston Marathons combined, according to research sources. Agnes Jebet Ngetich set a women-only 10km world record of 29:27 wearing Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, according to research sources. The Adizero: Road to Records event saw 11 records broken, including two U20 world records, four continental records, and four national records, according to research sources.
Why don't you celebrate with fish and chips and a beer?
In the women's elite race, Tigst Assefa won in 2:15:41, according to multiple reports. Marcel Hug won the men's wheelchair race for the sixth consecutive year, according to multiple reports. Catherine Debrunner won the women's wheelchair race, according to multiple reports.
In post-race interviews, according to Daily Mirror - Main, Sawe thanked the crowds. According to Daily Mirror - Main, BBC presenter Gabby Logan suggested Sawe celebrate with fish and chips and a beer. Multiple media reports noted that Sawe appeared confused and laughed nervously at Logan's suggestion.
Sawe's preparation included a target of breaking the world record, according to his agent and coach. According to his coach Claudio Berardelli, Sawe suffered a stress fracture in his foot after Berlin and a back injury in December, but has fully recovered. According to his agent Eric Lilot, Sawe's pacemakers aimed for a halfway time of 60 minutes and 30 seconds.
Sawe's average speed was about 21.2 km/h, according to multiple reports. Several unknowns remain: Sawe's correct age is disputed, with some sources reporting 29; the exact shoe model Sawe wore is also disputed, with some reports indicating Adidas Adizero Pro Evo 2; and the official women's winning time may be 2:15:50 rather than 2:15:41. Additionally, it is unclear whether the 1:59:30 time will be officially ratified as a world record.