Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has officially become the men’s marathon world record holder after World Athletics ratified his record-breaking performance at the 2026 London Marathon, confirming the fastest time ever recorded in the event under official competition rules.

World Athletics announced that Sawe’s time of 1:59:30, recorded during the London Marathon on 26 April 2026, has successfully completed the governing body’s record ratification process. The confirmation formally enters the performance into the official world record books.

Sawe became the first athlete to complete a World Athletics record-eligible marathon in under two hours, surpassing the previous official world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Announcing the ratification, World Athletics confirmed that Sawe’s performance met all the technical and regulatory requirements necessary for world-record recognition. The ratification follows a standard verification process conducted for all world records. This includes confirmation that the race course complied with international standards, verification of the electronic timing system, review of technical documentation and completion of the required anti-doping procedures.

Unlike immediate race results, marathon world records are only recognised after World Athletics concludes this independent review.

Sawe’s performance attracted global attention because it marked the first time an athlete had run a marathon in less than two hours under conditions that comply fully with World Athletics competition rules.

Although Eliud Kipchoge completed the marathon distance in 1:59:40 during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna in 2019, that performance was not eligible for world-record status because it was achieved under specially controlled conditions that did not satisfy official competition regulations.

Sawe’s London performance therefore becomes the first officially recognised sub-two-hour marathon in history.

The Kenyan secured victory after breaking away from a leading group in the closing stages of the race. Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo placed third in 2:00:28. Both athletes also ran faster than the previous official world record, highlighting the exceptional standard of the race.

The ratification represents another milestone for Kenya’s distance running programme, which has produced several men’s marathon world record holders over the past two decades, including Paul Tergat, Patrick Makau, Wilson Kipsang, Dennis Kimetto, Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum.

Sawe, who had already established himself as one of the world’s leading road runners before his London victory, now becomes the latest Kenyan to hold the sport’s most prestigious distance-running record.

With the ratification complete, 1:59:30 is now the official benchmark for the men’s marathon, and Sawe will carry the distinction of world record holder into his upcoming international competitions.

The confirmation closes the formal verification process and cements Sawe’s London Marathon victory as one of the most significant achievements in the history of long-distance running.