London Marathon 2026: Assefa breaks women's record, Sawe wins men's

This year's London Marathon saw 59,000 runners, close to last year's record. Tigst Assefa broke the women's-only world record, and Sabastian Sawe won the men's race for the second time.
By Newsroom | Sports, London |

London, 26 April 2026 — The 46th edition of the London Marathon concluded today, marked by a blistering pace that saw new benchmarks set and defending champions secure their victories. Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia shattered the women's-only world record in a display of sustained speed, while Sabastian Sawe of Kenya successfully defended his men's title.

The event, a cornerstone of the World Marathon Major series, drew an immense field with 59,000 runners registered for the 42.2-kilometre challenge. This figure approaches last year's record-breaking participation, which saw 56,640 individuals complete the course. The sheer scale of the marathon underscores its enduring appeal to both elite competitors and a vast array of amateur participants.

Assefa's Record Run and Sawe's Defence

"She has broken the world record."

Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa delivered a performance for the ages, not only defending her title but also establishing a new women's-only world record. Her dominant run outpaced competitors and etched her name further into marathon history.

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On the men's side, Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen to clinch his second consecutive victory. He faced strong competition, notably from Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, a track star making his marathon debut. Kejelcha's performance indicated a promising transition to longer distances.

The official results are being compiled, with participants able to access their times and standings through various platforms. Resources are available for runners to 'download their event certificate' or to 'request an adjustment to their time' should any discrepancies arise.

For those keen to track progress, several 'live tracker' applications provided real-time updates. These tools offered 'predicted finish times based on current pace' and alerted users to '5K split' milestones for tracked runners.

Event Overview and Context

The TCS London Marathon, a globally recognized event, traverses a route featuring iconic London landmarks. The course, largely 'flat and paved', winds through areas such as 'Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and the City', passing notable sights like 'Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and the River Thames'. This picturesque setting contributes to its status as a premier marathon, attracting a diverse international field. The race date remains fixed on 'Sunday, April 26, 2026', solidifying its place on the sporting calendar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who won the men's race at the London Marathon 2026?
Sabastian Sawe from Kenya won the men's race for the second year in a row. He faced tough competition, including Yomif Kejelcha from Ethiopia.
Q: Did anyone break a world record at the London Marathon 2026?
Yes, Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia broke the women's-only world record. She ran a very fast race to achieve this.
Q: How many people ran in the London Marathon 2026?
This year, 59,000 runners took part in the marathon. This is a large number, similar to last year's participation.
Q: What is the course like for the London Marathon?
The London Marathon course is mostly flat and paved. It goes through famous parts of London like Greenwich, Canary Wharf, and the City, passing landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge.