The 31-year-old’s landmark performance came in an official race setting and is expected to be ratified by World Athletics.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59.41 in his marathon debut, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo placed third in 2:00.28.
Both times were faster than the previous world record of 2:00.35 set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Kiptum died in a car crash in February 2024.
Until now, the only sub-two-hour marathon had been recorded by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, who ran 1:59.40 in Vienna in 2019.
That performance, however, was not recognized as an official world record due to special conditions, including the use of rotating pacemakers and controlled hydration.
Sawe’s achievement, accomplished amid standard race conditions and with massive crowds lining the Thames—estimated at up to 1 million spectators—is unlikely to face such objections.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa set a new world record for women-only marathons, winning in 2:15.41.
She improved her previous best from London last year by nine seconds after a close contest with Kenya’s Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei.
Obiri finished second in 2:15.53, with Jepkosgei third in 2:15.55.
Assefa’s mark applies to women-only races. The mixed-race world record remains held by Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, who ran 2:15.25 in 2003, while the fastest women's marathon in history is 2:09.56 by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich, set in October 2024.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP