London Marathon 2026: Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe makes history as he becomes first person to complete 26.2-mile race in under two hours
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Sabastian Sawe has won the London Marathon after running the fastest race in history – smashing the world record in under two hours.
The extraordinary feat saw the Kenyan athlete pass the finish line in a time of one hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
He was followed by Yomif Kejelcha in second place and Jacob Kiplimo who came in third.
Tigst Assefa won the elite women’s London Marathon race – claiming her second consecutive victory and also setting a new world record.
The enduring athlete passed the finishing line in two hours 15 minutes and 41 seconds, nine seconds quicker than her 2025 time.
She was followed by Hellen Obiri and Joyceline Jepkesgoi – with all three finishing under the two hour 16 minutes mark.
It comes as thousands of runners set off today for the much-anticipated mass event – with temperatures expected to soar to 20C.
Breaking:‘History in the making’: Sawe WINS London Marathon and breaks two-hour mark
Sabastian Sawe has set a new world record – winning the London Marathon and breaking the two-hour mark.
The Kenyan, who appeared to speed up in the final miles, achieved an incredible time of one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
He was followed by Yomif Kejelcha in second place and Jacob Kiplimo who came in third.
Breaking:Tigst Assefa WINS London women’s race
Tigst Assefa has carried through her title, winning the 48th edition women’s race.
She passed the finishing line in two hours 15 minutes and 41 seconds, nine seconds quicker than her 2025 time.
Assefa was followed by Hellen Obiri and Joyceline Jepkesgoi – with all three finishing under the two hour 16 minutes mark.
IN PICTURES: The day’s costumes
Enjoy these pictures of some of the most stunning costumes from today.
Insults come in thick and fast for Daddy Pig
BBC hosts have not hold back in their scathing criticism of Daddy Pig – noting he is ‘way off his PB (personal best) time’ and training has ‘not gone well’.
Another host also referenced his ‘snacks’.
However, the iconic animal is trying his best to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.
It was off the back of last month’s announcement that his son, George Pig, is moderately deaf.
‘The one that got away’: Kejelcha joins Sawe out in front
Jacob Kiplimo is now running behind in third place after letting Yomif Kejelcha break away, joining Sebastian Sawe out in front.
It may prove a regret for Kiplimo who missed out to Sawe in London last year.
‘Definite fatigue’ in the eyes of Obiri and Jepkesgoi
The eyes of Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkesgoi are said to be exhibiting ‘definite fatigue’ – according to the BBC.
It comes as last year’s winner Tigst Assefa is continuing to plough on at a steady speed.
She previously missed her water bottle but appears to have just been able to grab it…
Proud dad Gordon cheers his daughter on
Proud father Gordon Ramsay wished his daughter ‘all the very best’ yesterday amid her preparations for her first ever London Marathon.
The 24-year-old is running with Flora for nonprofit organisation Feeding Britain.
You can read the full report, by showbusiness reporter Laura Parkin here:
Sadiq Khan wishes runners ‘good luck’
London mayor Sadiq Khan has noted the ‘big day is here’ in a post wishing runners good luck.
He said:
The big day is here! Good luck to every runner taking on the 26.2 mile journey through our capital today in the London Marathon.
Frontrunners in men’s race show no sign of slowing down…
The men’s elite racers have now passed Tower Bridge as Debutant Yomif Kejelcha leads the group of six across at the 12.1-mile mark.
Interestingly, they appear to be continuing at a pace.
Breaking:Catherine Debrunner wins women’s wheelchair race title
After a tight sprint between Tatyana McFadden and Catherine Debrunner down the Embankment, Debrunner has claimed victory.
The second win for Switzerland saw Debrunner cross the line at one hour 38 minutes and 30 seconds.
IN PICTURES: Runners who failed to get a spot settle for midnight lap instead
Stunning images show how thousands of runners took over the streets of London at midnight for the annual Reverse Marathon.
The tradition sees an unofficial overnight 26.2 mile run take place the night before the official Marathon begins.
It comes as a world-record number of ballot entries for the 2026 race meant many missed out on a place.
Breaking:Marcel Hug WINS wheelchair race
Marcel Hug has bagged his sixth London marathon win in a row, claiming victory in the men’s wheelchair race.
The ‘incredibly dominant’ racer was in a league of his own for much of the competition.
He set a time of one hour 24 minutes and 13 seconds.
British paralympic athlete David Weir took the third spot.
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