Sabastian Sawe Hints at Chasing Kelvin Kiptum's Record at 2026 London Marathon

Defending champion Sabastian Sawe is gearing up for the 2026 TCS London Marathon, suggesting that a new course record might be necessary to secure victory for a second consecutive year.

The course record stands at 2:01:25 and was set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, a time that has not been threatened in recent years.

The Kenyan star leads a formidable elite men's field that includes world-class talent such as Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Tamirat Tola, and Yomif Kejelcha.

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Last year, Sabastian Sawe clinched the title with a remarkable time of 2:02:27, a performance that included a blistering 60:57 second half.

This was the second-fastest time ever recorded at the event, surpassed only by the late Kelvin Kiptum's course record of 2:01:25, set in 2023. Kiptum remains the world record holder with his time of 2:00:35.

Reflecting on the challenge ahead, Sabastian Sawe believes the winner might need to eclipse Kiptum's London benchmark.

"The TCS London Marathon course is one of the most beautiful and fastest courses in the world," Sabastian Sawe said.

"It was my first time running in London last year, and it was one of the proudest moments of my life to cross the line as champion.

"I am excited to be coming back in 2026, and I know now a little bit more about what I can expect. I am sure with the quality of athletes coming to London, it will take another fast time to win again, perhaps the type of effort the great Kelvin Kiptum put in when he set the course record in 2023.”

The sheer calibre of his rivals has fueled Sabastian Sawe's prediction. Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, last year's runner-up, is a prime contender.

He recently became a triple senior individual champion at the World Cross Country Championships and holds the world half-marathon record of 56:42.

Also in the mix is fellow Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei, the reigning Olympic 10,000m champion and world record holder in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola, the current Olympic marathon champion, enters the race in strong form after winning the Doha Marathon.

Adding to the intrigue is Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, who will make his marathon debut following a decorated track career that includes a 10,000m silver medal at the 2025 World Athletics Championships.

Other notable athletes include Kenya's Amos Kipruto, the 2022 London champion, and Ethiopia's Deresa Geleta, who boasts a personal best of 2:02:38. Germany’s Amanal Petros will lead the European contingent alongside Britain’s Emile Cairess.

Sabastian Sawe (KEN, PB 2:02:05)

Jacob Kiplimo (UGA, 2:02:23)

Deresa Geleta (ETH, 2:02:38)

Amos Kipruto (KEN, 2:03:13)

Tamirat Tola (ETH, 2:03:39)

Amanal Petros (GER, 2:04:03)

Geoffrey Kamworor (KEN, 2:04:23)

Joshua Cheptegei (UGA, 2:04:52)

Shunya Kikuchi (JPN, 2:06:06)

Emile Cairess (GBR, 2:06:46)

Mahamed Mahamed (GBR, 2:07:05)

Philip Sesemann (GBR, 2:07:10)

Hassan Chahdi (FRA, 2:07:30)

Adam Lipschitz (RSA, 2:08:54)

Patrick Dever (GBR, 2:08:58)

Peter Lynch (IRL, 2:09:36)

Tim Vincent (AUS, 2:09:40)

Dewi Griffiths (GBR, 2:09:49)

Weynay Ghebresilasie (GBR, 2:09:50)

Tewelde Menges (GBR, 2:09:58)

George James (GBR, 2:10:10)

Liam Boudin (AUS, 2:10:28)

Jake Smith (GBR, 2:11:00)

Marc Scott (GBR, 2:11:19)

Jack Rowe (GBR, 2:12:31)

Andrew Fyfe (GBR, 2:13:20)

Alex Milne (GBR, 2:14:03)

Peter Le Grice (GBR, 2:14:45)

Sean Hogan (GBR, 2:14:51)

Jack Barraclough (GBR, 2:14:55)

Christopher Thomas (GBR, 2:14:55)

Chris Perry (GBR, 2:14:57)

David Bishop (GBR, 2:15:16)

Charlie Sandison (GBR, 2:15:38)

William Mycroft (GBR, 2:15:54)

Yomif Kejelcha (ETH, Debut)

Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH, Debut)

Isaia Kipkoech Lasio (KEN, Debut)

Alfie Manthorpe (GBR, Debut)