Kenyan Sabastian Sawe Makes History, First Man to Run Marathon Under Two Hours
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe shattered the marathon world record, finishing the London Marathon in under two hours.
- Sawe's winning time was 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Kelvin Kiptum.
- Two other runners, Yomif Kejelcha and Jacob Kiplimo, also achieved times under two hours, marking a historic day for marathon running.
In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe has etched his name in history by becoming the first man to break the two-hour barrier in a marathon. Competing in the prestigious London Marathon, Sawe not only defended his title but also obliterated the previous world record, crossing the finish line in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds.
This monumental achievement saw Sawe surpass the record previously held by Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away last year. The significance of Sawe's performance is amplified by the fact that two other elite athletes, Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, also completed the grueling 42.195-kilometer race in under two hours. Kejelcha, a specialist in half-marathons, achieved this remarkable feat in his first-ever marathon, while Kiplimo improved upon his previous best time.
The race itself was a spectacle, with Sawe making a decisive move before the 30-kilometer mark. Only Kejelcha managed to keep pace, with Kiplimo trailing slightly behind. This historic podium, with all three top finishers breaking the elusive two-hour mark, represents a new era for marathon running. For Kenya, this victory is another testament to its enduring legacy in long-distance athletics, celebrating Sawe's incredible achievement and the continued dominance of Kenyan athletes on the global stage.
Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.