Sebastian Sawe to be included in Guinness Book of Records after London heroics
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 27.04.26. | 14:45
The record-breaking run not only shattered the long-standing barrier but also eclipsed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon
Sabastian Sawe is set to be immortalised in the Guinness World Records following his extraordinary performance at the London Marathon, where he became the first man in history to run a marathon in under two hours in an official race.
Guinness World Records confirmed Sawe’s place in history after he clocked a stunning 1:59:30, setting a new benchmark for the men’s marathon.
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The record-breaking run not only shattered the long-standing barrier but also eclipsed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
“Couldn’t catch him! Congratulations to Sebastian Sawe on his fastest marathon (male) at 1:59:30. He also beats Eliud Kipchoge’s fastest marathon distance,” Guinness World Records said in a statement.
Sawe’s run on the streets of London redefined the limits of human endurance.
Breaking away from a stacked elite field, he produced a commanding performance, capped by a powerful finishing kick that left his rivals trailing.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo clocked 2:00:28 to complete the podium.
The historic run marked the latest milestone in Sawe’s meteoric rise in marathon running.
He announced himself on the global stage during his debut at the Valencia Marathon in 2024, where he stormed to victory in 2:02:05, the second-fastest debut in history, behind only Kiptum’s 2:01:53 on the same course in 2022.
Sawe carried that momentum into the 2025 London Marathon, securing another dominant win in 2:02:27 ahead of Kiplimo and Kenya’s Alexander Munyao.
He followed it up with victory at the Berlin Marathon later that year, clocking 2:02:16 as he mounted a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt on the world record.
In an era marked by increased scrutiny on Kenyan athletics, Sawe also took deliberate steps to reinforce his credibility.
Ahead of his Berlin campaign, he underwent an unprecedented 25 out-of-competition tests conducted by the Athletics Integrity Unit, showing his commitment to clean sport.