The Next Generation of Marathon Legends
Two-time Olympic champion and former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has expressed his belief that Sabastian Sawe and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo could be the athletes to break the elusive sub-two-hour marathon barrier. This goal, which has captivated the running world for years, was first achieved by Kipchoge in an unofficial race, but it remains one of the most remarkable feats in sports history.
On October 12, 2019, in Vienna, Austria, Kipchoge made history by completing the Ineos 1:59 Challenge in 1:59:40. While this time is not officially recognized as a world record, it stands as a testament to human endurance and determination. Four years later, at the Chicago Marathon, the late Kelvin Kiptum came close in an official race, setting a world record of 2:00:35. As Kipchoge steps away from the sport, he sees promise in the next generation of runners.
“I think the two guys are good at the moment and I believe I have left the sport in good hands,” Kipchoge said in an interview with LetsRun.com. “Step by step, they will break the record and run sub two hours.”
Rising Stars in the Marathon World
Sawe, 29, made a significant impact on the marathon scene when he ran 2:02:05 in Valencia last December. This time was the second-fastest debut in history, only behind Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:01:53 set on the same course in 2022. This year, Sawe has been in excellent form, starting his 2025 campaign with a strong victory at the London Marathon on April 27, where he crossed the finish line in 2:02:27.
In September, Berlin organizers positioned Sawe as the athlete to challenge Kiptum’s record, but he fell short, finishing with a time of 2:02:16. Despite this, his performances continue to show potential for future success.
Meanwhile, Kiplimo launched his marathon career earlier this year in London, where he finished second in 2:03:37. Last month in Chicago, the Ugandan runner attempted to break Kiptum’s mark, clocking a time of 2:02:23. Kipchoge remains confident that both men are on the right path to achieving the sub-two-hour milestone.
“It needs time; they need to grow in a good way. But they are ready,” he said.
A Legacy of Excellence
Kipchoge’s own journey is one of extraordinary achievement. In 2018, he shattered the world record in Berlin with a time of 2:01:39, becoming the first man to break the 2:02 barrier. Four years later, he improved upon this record in the same city, finishing in 2:01:09. This time stood until Kiptum’s historic performance in Chicago.
Beyond his achievements on the track, Kipchoge has also become a vocal advocate for clean sport. He has urged athletes to uphold integrity and avoid doping, emphasizing the importance of fair competition.
“Doping is unfortunate. The moment you realise that sport is a beautiful thing and you need to play cleanly, you will not dope,” he said. “I want to urge everybody, let us play clean and give each other a fair chance to showcase talent.”
Kipchoge called on all athletes to participate in the sport with honesty and fairness, believing that embracing integrity at the highest level would allow everyone to truly enjoy the game.
“Let’s not use other methods to prove you are talented. That is wrong. If all of us embrace integrity at the highest level, we can truly enjoy this sport. Many people love and follow us, let’s compete fairly and cleanly.”
The Road Ahead
As the marathon world looks toward the future, the potential of Sawe and Kiplimo offers hope that the sub-two-hour barrier may soon be broken again. With their talent, dedication, and the guidance of legends like Kipchoge, the next chapter of distance running is set to be as exciting as the last.