Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe’s record time of 1:59:30, set during the 2026 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) London Marathon in England on April 26, has been officially ratified by World Athletics (WA) three months later.
In a statement released on Thursday, the global athletics governing body announced that it had ratified eight records set in 2026.
“Seven senior world records and one world U20 record set during the first five months of 2026 have been ratified by World Athletics,” the statement read.
Sawe not only defended his London Marathon title but also became the first man to run a legal, record-eligible marathon under two hours. His mark is among the eight new world records ratified by WA, including seven senior records and one World U20 record.
The historic performance improved the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023.
Sawe was involved in a thrilling battle with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo before making his decisive move with one mile remaining to win in 1:59:30. Kejelcha also broke the two-hour barrier, finishing second in 1:59:41, while Kiplimo came third in 2:00:28.
In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her London Marathon title in record-breaking fashion, clocking 2:15:41 to improve the women’s-only world record she set in London the previous year by nine seconds.
Assefa pulled away from Kenya’s Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in the final stages of the race. Obiri finished second in a personal best of 2:15:53, while Jepkosgei was third in 2:15:55, marking the first time three women had finished the same marathon under 2:16.