Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon by becoming the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours, finishing in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds. The Kenyan runner shattered the previous world record set in 2023, inspiring a new generation with his achievement.
Record-Breaking Performances
Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, running in his debut marathon, also dipped under two hours with a time of 1:59:41. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo finished third, surpassing the old world record as well. All three athletes demonstrated exceptional endurance and speed on the London course.
Training and Fuelling Insights
Sawe's team revealed that he trained up to 240 kilometres per week, focusing on high-volume mileage to build stamina. His fuelling strategy included bread, honey, and specific carbohydrate drinks and gels during the race to maintain energy levels. The sub-two-hour performances were attributed to a combination of factors:
- Exceptional physiological traits and efficient biomechanics
- Years of high-volume training
- Optimised fuelling strategies
- Advanced 'supershoes' like Adidas' Adios Pro Evo 3, which improve running economy
- Favourable weather conditions in London, with temperatures between 13-17°C
Sawe's historic run demonstrates that with dedication, science, and optimal conditions, the seemingly impossible can be achieved.
