Sabastian Sawe became the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race. He finished with an astonishing time of 1:59:30, breaking the previous record of 2:00:35 set by Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.
Yomif Kejelcha followed closely, finishing as the runner-up with a time of 1:59:41. This made him the second man to complete a marathon under two hours in race conditions. Jacob Kiplimo secured third place, crossing the line at 2:00:28, also surpassing Kiptum’s former record.
Toby Freeman completed the marathon in 4:49:18. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel marked his first marathon finish at 2:59:08. Joe Wicks participated last year, finishing in 5:54:59.
The London Marathon saw participation from approximately 56,000 amateur runners. This year’s event showcased elite marathon runners pushing the boundaries of human endurance.
Sawe expressed his joy after the race, stating, “I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me.” He added, “Nothing is impossible,” reflecting on his remarkable achievement.
The first man to run a marathon in under two hours was Eliud Kipchoge in 2019. However, that event was not eligible for official records as it took place under controlled conditions.
Discussions are reportedly underway to hold the London Marathon over two days starting next year. This could allow for more participants and enhance the event’s appeal.
