Overview
- Sabastian Sawe won Sunday’s London Marathon in 1:59:30, the first official sub-two finish, with Yomif Kejelcha at 1:59:41 and Jacob Kiplimo at 2:00:28, all faster than Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 from Chicago 2023.
- Tigst Assefa retained the women’s crown in 2:15:41, a women-only world record set without male pacers.
- Coverage highlighted advances in carbon-plate footwear, with Sawe racing in Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 shoes that weigh about 97 grams.
- Sawe emphasized clean sport by requesting extra Athletics Integrity Unit testing before recent majors, with reports of dozens of blood and urine checks.
- The record is the first sub-two in open competition, unlike Eliud Kipchoge’s controlled 1:59:40 run in 2019, and it is likely to prompt new scrutiny of technology and future record rules.