‘Extraordinary Enthusiasm’ – Sebastian Coe Applauds Sabastian Sawe’s Historic 1:59:30 World Record

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has praised Sabastian Sawe after the Kenyan runner became the first athlete to go under two hours in an official race at the London Marathon. Sawe clocked 1:59:30 on Sunday, setting a new benchmark in men’s marathon running.

The race developed into a close contest, with Yomif Kejelcha also finishing inside the two-hour mark. The result marked the first time multiple athletes achieved the feat in a competitive setting, moving beyond earlier controlled attempts.

Coe Reacts to Landmark Performance

Speaking after the event, Coe said the reaction to the run was immediate and widespread.

“There was extraordinary enthusiasm,” Coe, a double Olympic gold medallist, told international media in his first interview since Sawe smashed the record.

“I couldn’t switch a television on or listen to the radio or open a newspaper or go online without a lot of coverage. It was a leading story that day.”

He added that achieving the milestone in a race environment gave it greater significance.

“Breaking the two-hour barrier in a competition, not a choreographed one, but in an absolutely full-blooded competition, I think did capture global imagination,” said Coe.

Record Progression and Technology Debate

Sawe’s time improved on Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:00:35 set in Chicago in 2023 and also went quicker than Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 recorded in Vienna under controlled conditions.

The performance has also renewed discussion around advancements in running footwear. Coe, however, dismissed concerns regarding carbon-plated shoes and their influence on results, pointing instead to the broader progress within the sport.

The latest result is expected to shape ongoing debates around performance technology while reinforcing the rising standard in elite marathon racing.