==Sabastian Sawe has redefined marathon running on April 26, 2026, crossing the finish line of the London Marathon in under two hours, thereby setting a new world record. The feat, achieved in the 46th edition of the race, marks the first time the historic barrier has been broken in official marathon competition. Simultaneously, Tigst Assefa secured a decisive victory in the elite women's race, establishing a new world record for a women-only event.
==The marathon, which saw some 59,000 runners participating, kicked off from Greenwich Park. The elite races commenced with the women's wheelchair event, followed by the women's and men's elite fields. Marcel Hug clinched his eighth London Marathon title in the men's wheelchair race, finishing in 1:24:13.
Sawe's Historic Run
Sawe, the defending men's champion, was in a class of his own. Reports indicate he maintained a blistering pace throughout, pushing the boundaries of human endurance. His final recorded time was 1:59:30, a performance that eclipses all previous marathon records. He led from the outset, with fellow competitors like Yomif Kejelcha and Jacob Kiplimo in pursuit. Kejelcha, making his marathon debut, was positioned behind Sawe, alongside the half-marathon world record holder Kiplimo.
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Assefa's Dominant Performance
In the women's elite race, Tigst Assefa demonstrated remarkable form, defending her title and breaking her own world record. Assefa and her closest competitors, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri, passed the halfway point collectively under world-record pace, with a split time of 1:06:12. Ultimately, Assefa broke away, comfortably leading the pack to claim her second consecutive London Marathon victory. Catherine Debrunner won the women's wheelchair race.
Event Details and Broadcast
The 2026 London Marathon took place under generally favorable conditions, with temperatures reaching around 20°C. The race, a major fixture in the World Marathon Major series, saw extensive coverage across various platforms. Broadcasts were available on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website and app, with specific timings dedicated to the elite races and the mass participation event. Overseas viewers could access streams via the Olympic Channel and, with a VPN, through BBC iPlayer.
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The London Marathon, now in its 46th year, has become a significant global event, attracting elite athletes and a vast number of amateur runners. The ballot for the 2027 edition of the race was announced as having already opened, signaling the ongoing momentum and planning for future events.
