The super shoes behind London Marathon records
Sabastian Sawe, Tigst Assefa and Yomif Kejelcha all wore the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 when making history on the streets of London, the supershoe that weighs in a 97 grams on average.
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 14:46
The greatest marathon debut ever?
A sub-2:00:00 on your first-ever marathon? Take a bow, Yomif Kejelcha. It is remarkable that today’s London Marathon witnessed not just one run under two hours, but two.
(Getty)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 13:43
How Sabastian Sawe achieved the impossible with first marathon under two hours
History by stealth. It was quick – it had been from the start – but no one had any inkling that one of the greatest ever sporting feats was even a possibility until just a mile of the 2026 London Marathon remained and a predicted finish time flashed up on screen. That the projection began with the number one was sufficient to make hairs stand on end.
We already knew Sabastian Sawe was talented. The Kenyan had won all three of his previous career marathons prior to this – including in London last year – and was the favourite to triumph again on Sunday. But, for so much of this race, victory was not even guaranteed. He had last year’s Ugandan second-placed finisher Jacob Kiplimo attempting to hang onto his super shoes and Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha – in the process of completing the most spectacular debut marathon in history – for company.
So Sawe simply did what was required: he sped up. The further he went, the quicker he ran.
Ben Bloom26 April 2026 13:13
London Marathon 2026: Who were the top British finishers?
On a historic day in London, plenty of Brits also made their mark with some incredible times. Mahamad Mahamad secured a top-10 finish and was the quickest Brit, with a time of 02:06:14.
That was just ahead of Patrick Dever (02:06:18), in 11th, with Weynay Ghebresilasie in 13th (02:06:59), Jack Rowe in 14th (02:07:47) and Phil Sesemann in 16th (02:08:41).
Rounding out the top-20 were Tewelde Menges (02:10:48) and debutant Alfie Manthorpe (02:11:31).
In the women’s, Eilish McColgan was seventh overall with 02:24:51, just outside her debut from last year. Rose Harvey was ninth (02:26:14) and Jessica Warner-Judd was 12th (02:29:28)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 12:53
Tigst Assefa lowers women-only record and defends London title
There was also a new women-only record set in the women’s race as Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa defended her London Marathon crown. Assefa held off the challenge of Hellen Obiri, pulling away with 500 meters remaining to win in 2:15:41 and take nine seconds off her time from last year. However, it was 16 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race.
Tigst Assefa lowered her women-only record (AP)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 12:39
Record-breaking Sabastian Sawe becomes first man to run marathon under two hours
Sabastian Sawe made history on the streets of London with the first official marathon under two hours in the fastest race ever run over the 26.2-mile distance.
Sawe, the 29-year-old Kenyan, shattered the previous world record held by the late Kelvin Kiptum with an astonishing run of 1:59:30 that shaved 65 seconds off the previous best set by his compatriot in Chicago in 2023.
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 12:26
Sabastian Sawe on breaking the world record in London
“I’m feeling good. I’m so happy. It’s a day to remember for me. It is a day to remember,” Sawe tells the BBC.
He says he come into the marathon knowing sub-2:00:00 was possible. I think he may be talking about the late Kelvin Kiptum when speaking about what got him over the line.
“We started the race well and approaching the end and finishing the race, I was feeling strong and I remembered my fellow champion athlete who was so competitive and I think he was the one who helped a lot.
“I’m finally reaching the finishing line. I saw the time and I was so excited to see running a world record today.
“I think I was well prepared because coming to London for the second time was so important to me, and that’s why. I prepared well for it.”
(AP)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 12:17
Sabastian Sawe takes two minutes, 35 seconds off PB
Sawe’s previous best of 2:02:05 was achieved in winning the London Marathon last year, and he obliterated his personal best by defending his title.
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 12:04
Sabastian Sawe: ‘The Silent Assassin’
Speaking ahead of the London Marathon, Sabastian Sawe did not rule out a word record when asked about his chances.
And asked if his shoes, the Adidas Pro Evo 3s, were of course – or even world – record quality, the 29-year-old replied, simply: “Yep.”
(Reuters)
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 11:52
London Marathon 2026: Sabastian Sawe’s splits
Sawe ran a NEGATIVE SPLIT! He went out in 60:30, he came back in 59:00.
(London Marathon )
Jamie Braidwood26 April 2026 11:50