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Kenyan Sabastian Sawe Wins London Marathon in 1:59:30, First Sub-Two-Hour Official Marathon

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London Marathon 2025: History Made as Sawe Breaks Two-Hour Barrier

Sabastian Sawe of Kenya has become the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours in a record-eligible race, clocking 1:59:30 at the London Marathon.

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, the 27-year-old Kenyan shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35, set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. In doing so, Sawe not only defended his London title but etched his name into the history books.

Men's Race Results

  • Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) – 1:59:30 — New World Record
  • Yomif Kejelcha (Ethiopia) – 1:59:41 — Marathon debut
  • Jacob Kiplimo (Uganda) – 2:00:28

All three athletes finished faster than the previous world record, an unprecedented achievement in a single marathon.

How the Race Unfolded

Sawe reached the halfway point in 1 hour, 0 minutes, and 29 seconds. He then ran the second half of the race in 59 minutes and 1 second, making him faster over the second 21.1 km than the first. Running alongside Kejelcha until approximately 30 kilometers, Sawe made a decisive solo break in the final two kilometers to secure the win. His fastest 5-kilometer split—13 minutes and 42 seconds—came between the 35 km and 40 km marks.

Women's Race: Assefa Lowers Her Own Record

Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia won the women's race in 2:15:41, breaking her own women's-only world record by nine seconds. The previous record of 2:15:50 was set by Assefa at the 2024 London Marathon.

(Note: The fastest time in a mixed-gender race, with male pacemakers, is 2:09:56, set by Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.)

Women's Race Results

  • Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) – 2:15:41 — World Record
  • Hellen Obiri (Kenya) – 2:15:53
  • Joyciline Jepkosgei (Kenya) – 2:15:55

This was the first time the entire women's podium finished under 2 hours and 16 minutes.

Wheelchair Races

  • Marcel Hug (Switzerland) won the men's wheelchair race for the sixth consecutive year and eighth time overall.
  • Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) won the women's wheelchair race for the third consecutive year, defeating Tatyana McFadden of the United States.

Conditions and Equipment

Weather during the race was reported as 13–17°C (55–60°F) with dry and sunny conditions. The London course features approximately 75 meters of elevation gain.

Sawe wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoe, which weighs under 100 grams. According to the manufacturer, the shoe features a thick foam midsole and carbon-based "energy rods." Adidas claims the shoe improves running economy by 1.6% compared to previous models. The shoe is expected to retail for US$500.

World Athletics has set limits on sole thickness (maximum 40 mm), carbon-fiber plate design, and requires shoes to be commercially available.

Record Context

The previous official men's marathon world record of 2:00:35 was set by Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Kiptum died in a car crash in Kenya in 2024 at age 24.

In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya ran 1:59:40 in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, but that time was not recognized as a world record because it was run with rotating pacers, specialized shoes, and other controlled conditions not permitted for record ratification.

Sawe's time will be subject to ratification by World Athletics.

Athlete Statements

"I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me."
— Sabastian Sawe, stating that the world record was not his primary goal, as his focus was on defending his title.

"We are running together, but we are not in competition. We just ran together. He is my friend."
— Yomif Kejelcha, who expressed happiness at breaking the two-hour barrier and said he aims to improve his time to 1:58 in his next marathon.

Doping and Regulation

Sawe requested additional doping tests prior to the race and was tested 25 times by the Athletics Integrity Unit in preparation for the 2025 Berlin Marathon. Sawe's sponsor, Adidas, contributed US$50,000 to the Athletics Integrity Unit for additional testing.

"The main reason was to show that I am clean, and I am doing it the right way."
— Sabastian Sawe

World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe stated that the organization will not suppress innovation in shoe technology but acknowledged a regulatory responsibility.

Related Sanctions

  • Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya, who holds the mixed-gender women's world record (2:09:56), received a three-year doping ban in October 2025 for a positive test for hydrochlorothiazide. Achievements before March 2025 remain valid.
  • Jackline Sakilu of Tanzania received a 10-year ban for microdosing androsterone and etiocholanolone.