Breaking the two-hour barrier

World marathon record holder Sabastian Sawe stated on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, that completing a marathon in under one hour and 59 minutes is achievable. The 31-year-old Kenyan runner became the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier during the London Marathon in April 2026, finishing with an official time of 1:59:30. Ethiopian competitor Yomif Kejelcha also broke the mark in the same race, finishing second in 1:59:41. Speaking in Berlin, Sawe noted that advancements in carbon-plated footwear, ultra-light foam, nutrition, and training methods have reshaped what distance runners can accomplish. Sawe acknowledged that he did not initially expect to break two hours in London, having entered the race primarily aiming to defend his marathon title before seeing his split times near the finish line.

“It is difficult to predict how fast I will be, but it is possible if we have good weather conditions, good pacing and if I am in shape. We do not know what the coming years hold, because other people will arrive and do something big. For now, there are no limits.”

Injury recovery and future racing schedule

After winning the Berlin Marathon in 2025, Sawe was unable to defend his title in the German capital on Sunday due to an injury. The Berlin course is among the fastest in world athletics, having produced 13 world records across men's and women's competitions. Sawe accepted the setback as part of competitive distance running and outlined his plans to return to London in 2027. Sawe noted that recovering from physical setbacks has taught him the value of patience in maintaining competitive form, expressing confidence that proper rest and preparation will allow him to perform at the highest level. His long-term schedule is oriented toward competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, while his London record could face an early challenge in December 2026 when Kejelcha runs the Valencia Marathon.

Voluntary testing and anti-doping integrity

With Kenyan athletics facing an increasing number of doping cases, Sawe has taken voluntary measures to protect his reputation and demonstrate clean performance. In the summer of 2025, the world record holder asked anti-doping authorities for an intensified testing schedule, a protocol that remains in effect. Sawe emphasized that frequent testing is necessary to build public trust in elite distance running.

“Even with everything I have achieved, I want to show the world that not all athletes cheat. It is a good habit, for athletes, to undergo many tests to prove that they run clean and win clean.”

Women's world record attempt in Berlin

While in Berlin, Sawe watched 29-year-old Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa attempt to break the women's marathon world record of 2:09:56, set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich in September 2024. Assefa ran at a pace more than 20 seconds ahead of record splits through 35 kilometres before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the closing stages. Despite limping through the final two kilometres and requiring assistance to stand at the finish line, Assefa recorded the third-fastest women's marathon time in history. Sawe expressed shock at Assefa's late-race injury after observing her strong pace in Berlin, adding that her mental resilience will allow her to contend for the record again in future competitions. Chepngetich received a three-year suspension starting 19 April 2025 after testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide in March 2025.