History made as first official sub-two-hour marathon set on London streets

History made as first official sub-two-hour marathon set on London streets |
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The previous official men's marathon record was set in 2023 by Kelvin Kiptum
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History has been made today as the first official sub-two-hour marathon has been set on the streets of London.
Sabastian Sawe completed today's London marathon in a time of 1:59:30 - making a new world record.
The new world record holder won the Men's elite race today, crossing the line in the capital's Mall.
The 29-year-old from Kenya not only achieved what no one thought possible, but smashed the two-hour mark.
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Sawe's time was 30 seconds quicker than the two-hour mark, and 10 seconds faster than Eliud Kipchoge's unofficial record in 2019.
The Kenyan won in London on his debut last year and has four wins from his four marathon races.
Sawe trains at altitude in western Kenya and shares a room in a camp, only seeing his wife and son twice a month.
Yomif Kejelcha also broke the two-hour mark with a 1:59:41, and Tigst Assefa broke the women's record, running a 2:15:41.

Sawe smashed the world record, a full thirty seconds under two hours
|PA
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The world record holder was born nearby in a remote highland village without any electricity.
His journey to the peak of the running game has been supported by both his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who competed in the 800m for Uganda at the 2008 Olympics, and a teacher who said that running was his "fortune".
After the incredible achievement, Sawe told the BBC: "I saw the time and I was so excited. First of all, I want to thank the crowds. They help a lot. They helped a lot. You feel so happy and strong and pushing.
"What comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London."

Sawe said: 'I saw the time and I was so excited'
|PA
Commenting on whether he believed he could run a sub-two-hour time, Sawe said: "Yes. We started the race well. Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. I remember my fellow champion lead was so competitive. I think he was the one who helped a lot.
"Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited. I think today shows me a lot the first for everyone, and I am so happy for today. Coming to London for the second time was so important to me, and that's why I prepared well for it.
"Finally, what I had done for four months it has come today to be a good result. First of all, I want to thank the crowds for cheering us. I think they help a lot, because if it was not for them you don't feel like you are so loved.
"I think they help a lot because them calling make you feel so happy and strong and pushing. That is why I can say what comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London."

|The Kenyan crossed the line with no one else in sight
|PA
Sawe has spoken out in the past about his problems with doping in the sport.
He has called for regular testing and invited the Athletics Integrity Unit to test him as much as possible.
The world record holder said they did so 25 times, around two or three times a week, in the build-up to the Berlin Marathon in 2025.
He said: "The main reason was to show that I am clean, and I am doing it the right way."
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