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  "path": "/sport/other-sport/who-is-sabastian-sawe-world-record-london-marathon",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-26T11:41:57.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "History made as first official sub-two-hour marathon set on London streets",
    "Premier League round-up as West Ham score dramatic late winner after Spurs beat Wolves",
    "Luke Littler makes major change following abuse on social media after bust-up with Gian van Veen",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSabastian Sawe has etched his name into sporting immortality.\n\nThe Kenyan distance runner crossed the finish line at the London Marathon with a time of 1:59:30, shattering what many considered an impossible barrier.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAt 29 years old, Sawe has achieved what no athlete before him managed in official competition: completing 26.2 miles in under two hours.\n\nBorn on March 16, 1996, the long-distance specialist has now claimed victory in the capital for the second consecutive year, having triumphed on his debut at the same event twelve months ago.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe grew up in a remote highland village in western Kenya, a settlement so isolated it lacked electricity.\n\nSawe resides in shared quarters at a high-altitude training camp, a commitment that means he sees his wife and son just twice monthly.\n\nHis uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, represented Uganda in the 800 metres at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, providing an early glimpse of what elite competition looked like.\n\nEqually influential was a teacher who recognised the young Kenyan's potential and offered words that would prove prophetic, saying: \"Running is not just talent it's your fortune and your future.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * History made as first official sub-two-hour marathon set on London streets\n  * Premier League round-up as West Ham score dramatic late winner after Spurs beat Wolves\n  * Luke Littler makes major change following abuse on social media after bust-up with Gian van Veen\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThat guidance set Sawe on a path that would eventually lead him from those powerless highland villages to the world stage, culminating in today's unprecedented achievement on London's streets.\n\nSawe's marathon record stands at a flawless four victories from four attempts over the distance.\n\nHis debut came at Valencia in December 2024, where he clocked a world-leading 2:02:05.\n\nLondon followed in April 2025 with a winning time of 2:02:27, before he conquered Berlin that September in 2:02:16.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSpeaking after today's time, the Kenyan told the BBC: \"I saw the time and I was so excited.\n\n\"First of all, I want to thank the crowds. They help a lot.\n\n\"They helped a lot. You feel so happy and strong and pushing.\n\n\"What comes for me today is not for me alone but all of us in London.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn the build-up to his Berlin triumph, he submitted to an unprecedented 25 out-of-competition drug tests administered by the Athletics Integrity Unit.\n\nSawe has spoken out in the past about his problems with doping in the sport.\n\nHe said: \"The main reason was to show that I am clean, and I am doing it the right way.\"\n\nToday's historic sub-two-hour performance represents the culmination of that unblemished competitive journey.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Who is Sabastian Sawe? Kenya's hero in London runs historic sub two-hour marathon"
}