Sabastian Sawe made history at the London Marathon by becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race.

The 30-year-old Kenyan crossed the line to win in one hour 59 minutes 30 seconds, more than one minute faster than the late Kelvin Kiptum’s previous record of 2:00:35, set in 2023.

The great Eliud Kipchoge became the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in 2019, but that was not record-eligible as it was held under controlled conditions.

Already on world record pace as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, Sawe was able to speed up over the second half of the race to run even faster than Kipchoge’s time.

Sawe made his decisive move before the final 10km, with only debutant Yomif Kejelcha able to cover his surge off the front.

Remarkably, Kejelcha, making his marathon debut, became the second man to run under two hours in race conditions, finishing runner-up in 1:59:41.

Half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo also crossed the line faster than Kiptum’s former record, completing the podium in 2:00:28.

Sawe, speaking on BBC TV, said: “I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me.”

“We started the race well. Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited.”.

In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa improved her own world record for a women-only field as she surged clear of Kenyan rivals Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei in a thrilling finish to retain her title in 2:15:41.

Swiss great Marcel Hug cruised to a record-equalling eighth London Marathon victory in the elite men’s wheelchair race, tying level with Great Britain’s David Weir by winning for a sixth successive year.

Catherine Debrunner also retained the elite women’s wheelchair title as the Swiss burst clear of American Tatyana McFadden in the closing stages.

How Sawe achieved sporting immortality in London

Much of the focus beforehand had been about Sawe – winner of last year’s race in 2:02:27 – targeting Kiptum’s London Marathon course record of 2:01:25.

He told BBC Sport this week that it was “only a matter of time” before he broke Kiptum’s world record, adding “I hope and wish one day [it will be me]” when asked about becoming the first person to run under two hours in a race.

Sawe had targeted Kiptum’s world record in Berlin last September, when he went through halfway in 60:16, before that bid was ultimately undone by the hot weather.

But, in perfect race conditions in London, Sawe stormed down The Mall to achieve that historic feat, doing so in a time which was once considered impossible.

BBC commentator and former world champion Steve Cram said: “There are things that happen in sport and you want to be there to see history being made – if you are watching on TV then well done, but if you’re in London, it is a privilege and it is incredible.

“We said it was a day for records but I don’t think in our wildest dreams we could have foreseen this.”

After covering the first half of the course in 60:29, Sawe moved through the gears to complete the second half in just 59:01.

Only 63 men in history have run a half marathon as quickly as that – with Sawe’s own personal best standing at 58:05.

His splits continued to quicken as he chased down his target, clocking 13:54 for the five kilometres from 30-35km, and 13:42 for the 35-40km stretch – an average pace of 2:45 per kilometre.

“This will reverberate around the world,” said former women’s marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe.

“The goalposts have literally just moved for marathon running and where you benchmark yourself as being world-class.

“It is a lesson to everybody out there. We say ‘don’t go out too fast’ – they went out smartly and paced it really well.”