Marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe believes there is still room to push the limits of marathon running.
The Kenyan star reckons breaking the 1:59 barrier is within reach as he prepares for his return to the TCS London Marathon on April 25, next year.
Fresh from being inducted into the Adidas Hall of Fame in Berlin last month, the 31-year-old Kenyan has set his sights on another historic performance in London, the city where he became the first man to run an official, record-eligible marathon in under two hours.
“I know it’s possible to run under 1:59,” Sawe said in Berlin during his Hall of Fame induction. “If we’ve got nice weather, good pacing, and I am in good shape, it’s possible. There are no limits for now,” he said.
Sawe also said athletes are increasingly choosing to run fewer races, perhaps two or three major races a season, which puts them in good position to break the world record.
His confidence comes from an extraordinary performance on April 27, when he successfully defended his London Marathon crown in a new world record time of 1:59:30, smashing the previous time of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum.
President William Ruto looks on as World marathon record holder Sebastian Sawe signs off his framed picture following his record-setting victory in London Marathon on April 26, 2026.
Photo credit: PCS
Ethiopian debutant Yomif Kejelcha was the second human to accomplish the same feat with his second-place finish in 1:59:41.
Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo was third, coming agonisingly close to dipping two hours with an electrifying 2:00:28.
Sawe will be returning to the same streets of London in another seven months’ time with ambitions of lowering his own world record and becoming the first man to win three consecutive London Marathon titles.
His comeback announcement comes after an injury disrupted his 2026 season, forcing him to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon on September 27, where a world record attempt was planned.
His agent, Eric Lilot, disclosed that medical examinations revealed a stress fracture in his right tibia.
Sawe’s marathon journey began at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, where he announced himself on the global stage with an impressive 2:02:05 debut.
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe celebrates with a shoe after winning the men's elite race at the London Marathon in a new world record time of 01:59:30 on April 26, 2026.
He followed that with victory at the 2025 London Marathon in 2:02:27 before heading to Berlin later that year, where he triumphed in 2:02:16.
Organizers have confirmed his place in the elite field for the April 25 race, .
With Kejelcha and Kiplimo also expected to feature, the prospect of another searing fast race is large, and the world record could well be under threat.
