For the First Time Ever, a Kenyan and an Ethiopian Both Complete a Marathon in Under Two Hours

London Marathon 2026: A New Era of Records

According to Главком: At the 2026 London Marathon, history was made as Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe and Ethiopian athlete Yomif Kejelcha both finished the race in under two hours for the first time. Sawe claimed victory with a stunning time of 1:59:30, setting a new world record. Kejelcha secured second place, crossing the line at 1:59:40. Ugandan runner Jacob Kiplimo took third place with a time of 2:00:28. This milestone event broke the previous record of 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Women's Achievements and Other Highlights

The marathon also featured a new women's record. Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa won with a time of 2:15:41, improving her own record by nine seconds, which she had set at the previous year's London Marathon. This event was notable not only for its records but also for the participation of British athlete Calli Hauger-Thackery, who finished the 2026 Boston Marathon while five months pregnant. Additionally, a U.S. school teacher won the Los Angeles Marathon. The 2026 London Marathon underscored new achievements in athletics and demonstrated the high level of athlete preparation.

The setting of new world records at the 2026 London Marathon highlights the growing competition among elite marathon runners. The emergence of two athletes finishing the distance in under two hours could transform training and preparation methods in athletics, influencing future competitions. The participation of female athletes like Tigst Assefa also marks significant progress in women's athletics, showing that women can achieve top-tier results on the international stage.

The remarkable achievements at the 2026 London Marathon resonate with other inspiring stories in the running community. For instance, a British marathoner recently completed the Boston Marathon while 22 weeks pregnant, showcasing the incredible determination and strength of female athletes. Such examples highlight the evolving landscape of marathon running, where personal milestones are celebrated alongside record-breaking performances. To learn more about this extraordinary feat, check out the full story of the British marathoner who ran Boston at 22 weeks pregnant.