It took a staggering 59 years to shave off just 10 minutes, finally achieving a marathon completion under two hours... The history of the quest for 'Sub-2'

*This content was translated by AI.

It took a staggering 59 years to shave off just 10 minutes.

The 'two-hour barrier' in men's marathon has finally been broken. Kenya's Sebastian Sawe (30) became the first person in official world championship history to complete a marathon in under two hours.

On the 26th (local time), Sawe won the men's race at the 2026 London Marathon held in London, UK, completing the 42.195km full course in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds. He improved upon the previous world record of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 35 seconds set by Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 by 1 minute and 5 seconds.

The challenge to complete a marathon in under two hours, known as 'Sub-2', has continued for over a century. Starting with American Albert Michelson breaking the 2nd-hour 30-minute barrier with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 1 second in 1925, British runner Jim Peters shattered the '20-minute barrier' with 2 hours, 18 minutes, and 40 seconds in 1953. In 1967, Australia's Derek Clayton entered the 2nd-hour 10-minute zone with 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 36 seconds, and in 2003, Kenya's Paul Tergat came within 5 minutes of the 'two-hour barrier' with 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge set a time of 2 hours, 1 minute, and 39 seconds at the 2018 Berlin International Marathon and achieved an unofficial 'Sub-2' the following year. He crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 59 minutes, 40 seconds, and 2 hundredths of a second at the 'INEOS 1:59 Challenge' held in Vienna, Austria, in October 2019.

However, that race was not recognized as an official record because it included elements not permitted in formal competitions, such as Kipchoge receiving assistance from a pace-making team of seven and a lead vehicle using lasers to regulate speed.

There was also a tragic history. Kiptum came within just 35 seconds of 'Sub-2' with a time of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 35 seconds at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. However, he left the world in a traffic accident at the young age of 24 in December 2024, the following year, delivering a shock to the world.

Amid numerous challenges and setbacks, Sawe finally reached his dream of Sub-2. It took a staggering 101 years after the 2nd-hour 30-minute barrier was broken, and 59 years were needed to shave off 10 minutes from the 2nd-hour 10-minute mark.

After the race, Sawe told the World Athletics Federation through a statement: "I feel so good. I am truly happy. Today will be an unforgettable day for me." He added, "The race started well, and I felt more powerful as I approached the finish line. I was truly delighted when I arrived at the finish line and checked the time."

Meanwhile, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, who took second place today, also recorded a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 41 seconds, becoming the second person in history to achieve Sub-2.

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*This content was translated by AI.