The essentials
Sawe and Assefa delivered dominant performances with world records across both elite marathons.
The 2026 London Marathon delivered decisive victories across both races, with Sabastian Sawe claiming the men's title and world record in a sub-2-hour finish. Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia secured second place, also breaking the 2-hour barrier, while Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda rounded out the podium in third.
On the women's side, Tigst Assefa won decisively and set the women's-only world record, establishing herself as a dominant force in elite marathon competition. Hellen Obiri finished second with Joyciline Jepkosgei completing the top three. The results underscore the exceptional talent assembled for the race and the competitive depth demonstrated across both field competitions.
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Sawe edges elite field to claim men's marathon crown
Sabastian Sawe emerged victorious in the men's marathon, surpassing Yomif Kejelcha and Jacob Kiplimo to secure the title. Sawe's performance delivered the men's world record in a decisive display of endurance and pace management. The top-three finishers represented multiple nations, reflecting the global caliber of elite marathon competition assembled at London.
Assefa dominates women's marathon field with record-setting victory
Tigst Assefa won the women's marathon and established the women's-only world record, capping a dominant performance at the elite level. Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei completed the podium in second and third places respectively. The women's race showcased the depth of international marathon talent competing at the highest standard.