Sabastian Sawe took 65 seconds off Kelvin Kiptum’s world record in London on Sunday, becoming the first to run a marathon under two hours in legal race conditions. The achievement has been hailed as the Roger Bannister moment of our time.
A Landmark Achievement
Sunday’s landmark in London was not only unexpected, dramatic and historic – it was a once-in-a-generation moment. Sawe’s feat has drawn comparisons to Sir Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile in 1954, with London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher suggesting it could be the 21st-century equivalent.
Brasher’s father, Chris, paced Bannister to that famous 3:59.4 mile, and Hugh has a deep appreciation of sporting heritage. While some may flinch at the comparison, the sub-two hour marathon represents a clear before-and-after moment in athletics.
The Feat in Perspective
Sawe’s run involved sustaining a pace of 4 minutes 33 seconds per mile for 26.2 miles. This is akin to sprinting 17 seconds for 100 metres and repeating it across the entire marathon distance. The achievement was made possible by advances in technology, including supershoes and Maurten hydrogels that allow athletes to consume large amounts of carbohydrates without gastric problems.
Sawe ran in 97-gram Adidas shoes and consumed 325g of carbs during the race, avoiding the dreaded wall. These developments have been gamechangers, but the feat itself remains extraordinary.
Historical Context
When Paul Tergat became the first runner under 2:05 in 2003, he dismissed the idea of a sub-two marathon as impossible. However, the era of supershoes and improved nutrition has changed the landscape. Sawe’s performance in London has immediately divided the sport into before and after Sub-Two.
Bannister’s four-minute mile was broken a month and a half later by John Landy, who ran 3:58 flat. Similarly, Sawe’s record may be short-lived, with faster courses like Berlin, Chicago, and Valencia offering opportunities for further improvements.
The Future of Marathon Running
Coach Nick Anderson notes that top middle-distance runners are moving to the marathon earlier, bringing great speed and endurance. He predicts further minutes off the world record, but emphasises the need for perfect conditions – right temperatures, little wind, and strong competition to ensure a genuine race in the final 10km.
Sawe himself has set a new target of 1:58, showing that the sub-two barrier is just the beginning. The march of technology will continue, with lighter clothing, better nutrition, and springier shoe foams.
A Worthy Successor to Bannister
Both Bannister and Sawe share a distinctive modesty about their achievements. Sawe told reporters he only realised he was running under two hours when he saw the finish line. If Sawe is as clean an athlete as he promises, he is a worthy successor to Bannister, and Sunday’s staggering achievement will be remembered for generations.
