Kenya's Sawe makes history at London Marathon

Kenya's Sabastian Sawe has become the first person in history to run a marathon in less than two hours in race conditions.

The runner crossed the line to win the London marathon in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds, beating the official world record by more than a minute.

Speaking after the event, Sawe said: "I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me."

Second-placed Yomif Kejelcha also broke the two-hour mark, finishing eleven seconds behind Sawe.

Running the marathon - which is 26.2 miles - in less than two hours has been one of the biggest challenges in the world of athletics, and something professional runners have tried to accomplish for many years.

In 2019, Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge became the first-ever person to run the length of the marathon in under two hours.

However, it was an unofficial record because he achieved it during a special event, with different conditions, set up especially to try and beat the record.

That's why Sawe's achievement is such a big moment in the sport, because it was long thought to be impossible.

Speaking after finishing the marathon, Sawe said he was really happy with his run.

"Approaching finishing the race, I was feeling strong. Finally reaching the finish line, I saw the time, and I was so excited," he explained.

Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha, finished the race as runner-up, becoming the second man to run a marathon in under two hours in race conditions - with a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 41 seconds.

Ugandan long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo crossed the line in third place, with a time of 2 hours and 28 seconds.

Another record was set in the women's race, when Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa broke her own record.

The runner finished the course in a time of 2 hours, 15 minutes and 41 seconds - around ten seconds quicker than her previous victory last year.

Kenya's Hellen Obiri, crossed the line 12 seconds after Assefa to finish in second-place, closely followed by Kenya's 2021 winner Joyciline Jepkosgei in third.

Swiss great Marcel Hug won his eighth men's wheelchair title, in 1 hour, 23 minutes and 13 seconds.

His victory means he is now tied level with Great Britain's David Weir for the record for the most victories in London Marathon history.

Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner defended the women's title and celebrated her fourth London Marathon win, after clocking a time of 1 hours, 38 minutes and 29 seconds.