Indian badminton star PV Sindhu expressed amazement after Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon 2026 by becoming the first athlete to run a marathon under two hours in official race conditions.

Sawe clocked a staggering 1:59:30, breaking the long-standing barrier and rewriting the record books in distance running.

‘Mind blowing’ moment for sport

Reacting on social media, Sindhu described the achievement as “mind blowing,” noting how the sub-two-hour marathon had remained an almost unreachable milestone for decades.

She also highlighted the extraordinary nature of the race, pointing out that more than one athlete managed to breach the historic mark.

“For decades the sub-2 hour marathon felt almost impossible. Today Sebastian Sawe ran 1:59:30. The ceiling of human endurance just moved,” she wrote.

Tribute to Kelvin Kiptum

Sindhu also paid an emotional tribute to late Kenyan runner Kelvin Kiptum, whose previous world record of 2:00:35, set at the Chicago Marathon 2023, had stood as the benchmark.

Kiptum had tragically passed away in a car accident shortly after his record was ratified. Sindhu recalled his legacy, saying he was “meant to chase this moment,” adding that Sawe’s run fulfilled that dream.

Historic race sees multiple records fall

The London Marathon witnessed an unprecedented level of competition, with multiple runners delivering record-breaking performances.

Yomif Kejelcha clocked 1:59:41 in his marathon debut, becoming the second-fastest runner in history. Meanwhile, Jacob Kiplimo finished in 2:00:28, placing him among the fastest ever.

All three athletes surpassed the previous world record, underscoring the historic nature of the race.

Sawe’s remarkable performance

At 30, Sawe delivered one of the greatest marathon performances ever recorded. His timing of 1:59:30 not only shattered the previous record by 65 seconds but also marked the first official sub-two-hour finish in a competitive race setting.

The magnitude of his achievement becomes clearer when considering the pace he maintained — approximately 2 minutes and 50 seconds per kilometre across the full 42.195 km distance.

Experts noted his consistency and strong finishing kick as key factors that set him apart, even in a field packed with elite runners.

Redefining human endurance

For years, breaking the two-hour barrier in marathon running was considered nearly impossible under official race conditions. While experimental runs had approached the mark, Sawe’s achievement in a competitive race has now redefined the limits of human endurance.

Conclusion

Sebastian Sawe’s historic run at the London Marathon marks a turning point in athletics, pushing the boundaries of what was once thought achievable. With global stars like PV Sindhu acknowledging the feat, the moment stands as a landmark in sporting history, inspiring athletes across disciplines.