History made as Kenyan runner crosses finishing line in under two hours at London Marathon

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Best of the Box Investigates Investigates Money Diaries The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates Daft.ie Property Allianz Home The 42 Sport TG4 Entertainment Domino's Best of the Box The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Sebastian Sawe celebrates winning the London Marathon.Alamy Stock Photo London Marathon History made as Kenyan runner crosses finishing line in under two hours at London Marathon Kilkenny’s Peter Lynch smashed the Irish record. 12.07pm, 26 Apr 2026 Share options SABASTIAN SAWE SMASHED the marathon world record and became the first man to break the two-hour barrier in an official competition to win the London Marathon in 1:59.30. The Kenyan defended his 2025 title, beating Yomif Kejelcha by 11 seconds. The Ethiopian runner-up also crossed the line in an astonishing 1:59.41, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda finished third in 2:00.28. History rewritten in London for Sebastian Sawe 🤯 Back-to-back London Marathon champion 🏆 First man race the marathon in under two hours 🔥 📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/jrtjOKqf2C— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 26, 2026 All three were faster than the previous official world record of 2:00.35 seconds set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, while Sawe’s time was also 10 seconds faster than the unofficial 1:59.40 set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019. Peter Lynch obliterated the Irish record, clocking 2:06:08 to finish ninth after a remarkable run as the first European home. The Kilkenny 28-year-old shattered his previous best of 2:09:36 and broke Fearghal Curtin’s national record of 2:07:54, which was set last year. Advertisement PETER, THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!! 🔥 Peter Lynch (Kilkenny City Harriers) has obliterated the Irish marathon record clocking 2:06:08 in London to finish ninth 🤯 The 28-year-old shatter his previous best of 2:09:36 and breaks Fearghal Curtin's national record (2:07:54) which was set… pic.twitter.com/MEarPi0gmo— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) April 26, 2026 There was also a new standard set in the women’s race, won by Tigst Assefa, who defended her London Marathon crown in a women’s-only world record 2:15.41, with both subject to official ratification. Conditions were ideal in London, where the men got out to a blazing start, and Sawe was under the world record pace at the 10-kilometre mark before there was a collective let-up near Cutty Sark. The main contenders remained grouped together five kilometres later, and at the halfway point Sawe clocked in at 1:00.29. Sawe and Kejelcha eventually pulled ahead of Kiplimo, who was two seconds behind the leaders 30 kilometres in, and the front two had opened their lead even further five kilometres later. Just as it looked like only the course record would be the one to fall, Sawe found another gear and set himself on course to make history. Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here. Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “History made as Kenyan runner crosses finishing line in under two hours at London Marathon”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “History made as Kenyan runner crosses finishing line in under two hours at London Marathon”. 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