Sebastian Sawe becomes first person to run a marathon under two hours in London
The Kenyan athlete shattered the world record in dominant fashion, finishing in 1:59:30.
At a glance
What matters most
- Sebastian Sawe finished the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first person ever to run a marathon under two hours.
- He broke the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
- Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa won the women's race, defending her title with a strong performance.
- The achievement is being hailed as a historic moment in athletics, comparable to breaking the four-minute mile.
Across the spectrum
What people are saying
A quick look at how the same story is being framed from different angles.
On the Left
Sawe's achievement is a powerful reminder of what's possible when athletes from the Global South are given the resources and global platform to excel. This milestone wasn't just about speed-it was about equity, access, and the culmination of generations of Kenyan running excellence finally being recognized at the highest level.
In the Center
This record stands on the foundation of athletic dedication, technological progress, and meticulous planning. Sawe's run is a testament to human potential, achieved under fair and verifiable conditions, and sets a new benchmark for the sport worldwide.
On the Right
Sawe's victory showcases the power of individual excellence and disciplined training. In a world often focused on limits, he proved that with focus, hard work, and the right support, barriers can be broken-no shortcuts, no gimmicks, just sheer determination.
Full coverage
What you should know
Sebastian Sawe has done what many once thought impossible: run a marathon in under two hours. On a crisp Sunday morning in London, the Kenyan long-distance runner crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, making history as the first person to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon race.
The time shatters the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon before his tragic death in 2024. Sawe's performance wasn't just a personal triumph-it's being celebrated as a landmark moment in the evolution of human endurance, joining the ranks of iconic athletic breakthroughs like Roger Bannister's sub-four-minute mile in 1954.
The race unfolded with precision. Sawe stayed close to the lead pack through the early miles, then steadily pulled ahead after the halfway mark. With pacers peeling off in the final stretch, he surged down The Mall alone, arms raised, as the crowd roared. His time was verified under official World Athletics rules, meaning it counts as a ratified world record.
While Sawe's run stole the spotlight, Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa also claimed victory in the women's race, successfully defending her London title with a commanding finish. Though she didn't break her own world record of 2:11:53, her performance reinforced her status as one of the greatest female marathoners of her generation.
The sub-two-hour marathon has long been seen as a psychological and physiological frontier. In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in 1:59:40, but that effort wasn't recognized as a world record because it wasn't part of an open race and used rotating pacers not competing. Sawe's achievement is different-it happened in real race conditions, against top competition, and under full regulatory scrutiny.
Reaction poured in from around the world, with athletes, coaches, and fans calling the run a game-changer. Experts say Sawe's success reflects years of advancements in training, footwear, course design, and sports science-all converging at the right moment.
For now, Sawe remains focused on the moment. "I trained for this not just with my body, but with my mind," he said after the race. "Two hours was a wall. Today, we broke it-together."
About this author
Zwely News Staff compiles multi-source reporting into concise, viewpoint-aware coverage for readers who want context without noise.
Source Notes
Sebastian Sawe breaks London marathon record with first run under two hours
Kenyan athlete breaks Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record of 2:00:35; Ethiopia's Assefa retains her women's crown.
Sabastian Sawe finishes London Marathon in under two hours to break men’s world record
Kenyan Sabastian Sawe shattered the men's marathon world record at the 2025 London Marathon, finishing in under two hours at 1:59:30 to claim victory.
London Marathon: Kenya's Sabastian Sawe sets world-record men’s time of under 2 hours
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe set the men's world record for running the fastest ever marathon at the London event on Sunday when he became the first person ever to complete the 26-mile race in less than two hours.
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