This is the exact breakfast that Sebastian Sawe ate before breaking the 2-hour barrier at the London Marathon

What does one eat before attempting to run faster over 26.2 miles than any human in history?

If you’re Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who yesterday ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, the answer is to keep it light and simple.

Asked the question at the London Marathon press conference, the 31-year-old answered, “Two slices of bread with honey and tea.”

It might sound pretty basic and meagre but it does tick lots of boxes in terms of running fuel. Writing on Instagram about Sawe’s breakfast choice, elite nutritionist and physiologist Paul Booth commented, ‘Honey: great source of fructose. White toast: low-residue carbohydrate. Tea: caffeine/hydration.’

Honey is a popular source of pre-race fuel, with brands like Honey Stinger even offering mid-race products made from honey. A low-residue carbohydrate like white bread, meanwhile, can be quickly stored as glucose and converted into energy on the run. Tea is a staple beverage among Kenyan distance runners, with its caffeine content also offering a performance boost.

For more on simple, effective foods to eat before your training run or race, check out our article ‘Perfect pre-run breakfasts to keep you fuelled’.

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