Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd)Jack Tuwei extends his heartfelt congratulations to Kenya’s outstanding marathon star Sabastian Sawe for his historic victory at the 2026 London Marathon, where he stormed to a sensational new men’s world record of 1:59:30. In doing so, Sawe becomes the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a record-eligible marathon race, delivering one of the greatest performances in the history of long-distance running.
This remarkable feat is a proud moment for Kenya and further reinforces our nation’s enduring legacy as the global home of distance running excellence. Sawe’s discipline, courage and tactical brilliance on one of the world’s biggest marathon stages reflect the strength of Kenyan athletics and the depth of talent we continue to nurture. Last year, World Athletics recognized Sawe’s extraordinary rise by voting him the Best Male Athlete Off the Track, underlining the immense talent and consistency that have now culminated in this historic world record performance.
The men’s marathon world record has long symbolized the ultimate standard of endurance running. Over the years, it has been lowered by legendary athletes, from Paul Tergat to Haile Gebrselassie, Eliud Kipchoge, and most recently the late Kelvin Kiptum, whose 2:00:35 set in Chicago in 2023 stunned the world. Today, Sabastian Sawe has written a new chapter by taking the event into previously unimaginable territory.
Athletics Kenya also warmly congratulates Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei for their superb podium finishes in the women’s race, where Obiri placed second and Jepkosgei finished third. Their performances once again showcased the strength, resilience and consistency of Kenyan women on the global marathon stage.
We commend all Kenyan athletes who represented the country with distinction in London and continue to inspire millions at home and abroad.
Sabastian Sawe’s world record, together with the podium success of Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei, is a shining testament to Kenya’s unmatched distance running heritage.