Sabastian Sawe has made history in global athletics by delivering an exceptional performance at the London Marathon, breaking the symbolic two-hour barrier in an officially recognized race.
The Kenyan runner produced a stunning performance on Sunday, completing the race in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds. He thus becomes the first male athlete to officially run under two hours in a sanctioned competition, significantly improving the previous world record held by his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum (2:01:35 in 2023).
This achievement immediately sparked strong reactions in Kenya. President William Ruto praised the historic feat, stating that it “pushes the limits of human endurance” and confirms Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running.
The two-hour barrier had previously been broken in 2019 by Eliud Kipchoge in Vienna (1:59:41), but under conditions that were not eligible for official recognition due to the use of pacemakers.
Kenya continues to dominate global long-distance athletics, but it also faces challenges related to doping. Since 2017, more than 140 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), including Ruth Chepngetich and Benard Kibet Koech.
