Sabastian Sawe Wins 2026 London Marathon In 1:59:30 To Set First Sub-Two-Hour Marathon World Record
History. Sabastian Sawe has won the 2026 TCS London Marathon in 1:59:30 — the first sub-two-hour marathon ever run in a record-eligible race, and a...
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About the London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors and the world’s largest annual marathon. First held in 1981 and inspired by the New York City Marathon, it was co-founded by Chris Brasher and John Disley after Brasher ran New York in 1979 and wrote that it could bring the people of London together.
The race starts in three pens on Blackheath in southeast London and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. The flat, fast course winds through Greenwich, the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, and the Embankment before the iconic finish.
London is renowned for both its elite competition and its charity fundraising — the event has raised over £1 billion for good causes since its inception, making it the world’s largest annual fundraising event.
How to Enter the London Marathon
Entry to the London Marathon is primarily through the public ballot, which typically opens in the autumn for the following year’s race. The acceptance rate has become increasingly competitive — in recent years, fewer than 15% of applicants are successful.
Other routes include running for a charity (guaranteed entry in exchange for a fundraising commitment, typically £2,000+), qualifying via a “Good for Age” time, or earning a Championship entry. The Good for Age qualifying times vary by age group — for example, men aged 18–39 need sub-3:00 and women need sub-3:45.
For 2027, London Marathon Events has announced plans for a two-day, 100,000-runner event — potentially doubling the field and improving ballot odds. Read our 2027 ballot guide for the latest details.
The London Marathon Course
The London Marathon course is famously flat and fast, starting in three pens near Blackheath and converging before the 3-mile mark. The route heads south through Woolwich before turning back through Greenwich, passing the iconic Cutty Sark at mile 6.
Runners cross Tower Bridge at the halfway point — one of the most photographed moments in world marathoning — before heading east through Canary Wharf and the Docklands. The route then doubles back west along the Embankment, past the London Eye and Big Ben, before turning onto Birdcage Walk for the final stretch down The Mall to the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace.
The flat profile makes London an excellent course for personal bests, and it has produced numerous world records over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the London Marathon
