ANALYSIS | What drove the sub-two marathon in London, and what comes next

Kenyan runner Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon run in London is still reverberating through the athletics world, with experts now unpacking how the barrier was finally broken under standard race conditions.

Finch said the performance marks a fundamental shift in what athletes, and the sport, now consider possible.

Why this run matters

The sub-two marathon had been discussed for years, but few expected it to happen in a major race setting.

“I don’t think anybody expected it to happen yesterday,” Finch said.

What stood out was the pacing strategy.

The runner covered the second half significantly faster than the first, a decisive factor in dipping under two hours.

“When he went through halfway, it didn’t seem like it was going to be a sub-two, but the way he ran that second half was just phenomenal.”

Finch described the run as “a real landmark not only in athletics history, but in sport”.

How technology is changing the sport

A key factor in the analysis is the continued impact of “super shoes”.

Since their introduction around 2019, elite racing shoes have contributed to faster times through lighter weight and advanced design.

The shoes used in this performance weighed about 95 grams per shoe and were built specifically for racing.

Finch said features like specialised foam and carbon rods are helping drive improved performances.

But he stressed that technology alone cannot explain the result.

What makes this different from 2019

The achievement is being compared to Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour run in 2019, but the context is crucial.

That earlier run took place under controlled conditions, with pacemakers, a specially designed course and an ideal setup.

This time, the performance came in a standard London Marathon race.

Finch noted London is not typically the fastest course, with more turns than flatter races like Berlin.

A new benchmark for elite runners

Finch compared the moment to Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile in 1954.

Once that barrier was broken, others soon followed.

“I think there’s a new benchmark that’s been set,” he said.

He added that favourable conditions, including cool weather and a slight tailwind, helped.

But the broader impact is clear.

Finch believes winning major marathons like London, Berlin and Chicago could soon require times close to two hours.

Women’s race also delivers a record

The London Marathon also saw Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa set a new women’s world record, adding to what Finch described as a landmark moment for the sport.

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