2025 London Marathon winner Sabastian Sawe has revealed what inspired him the the second-fastest ever time of the event.

Sawe emerged the winner after he clocked 2:02:27, representing the second-fastest ever London Marathon time. In the race he beat world half marathon record-holder Jacob Kiplimo, who came second on his marathon debut, setting a Ugandan record of 2:03:37.

Defending champion Kenya’s Alexander Mutiso Munyao was third in 2:04:20 as the top eight finished inside 2:07.

“I was very confident because I came in well prepared. That got me through today,” Sawe said after the race as per World Athletics.

How Sawe conquered

Sawe secured a second marathon victory in five months, following his 2:02:05 debut win in Valencia in December with triumph in London in 2:02:27. Only one other athlete – the late world record holder Kelvin Kiptum, who ran 2:01:25 in 2023 – has ever gone quicker in the London Marathon.

Signs of Sawe conquering the marathon became rather clear when the leading group went down to nine by 25km. Sawe and his compatriot Hillary Kipkoech, who had been 26 seconds behind the leaders at 25km, led the field at 30km – a point they passed in 1:27:47.

Sawe made a decisive break; he kicked away, and it was a move that none of his rivals could cover at the 30km mark.

His surge included a 4:18 20th mile, and after a 5km split of 13:56, he reached 35km in 1:41:43 – 22 seconds ahead of Kiplimo and 37 seconds ahead of Mengesha and Kipkoech.

Sawe completed his solo run to the finish line, passing 40km in 1:56:03 with a 46-second advantage before breaking the tape in 2:02:27 to win by 70 seconds. He ran an impressive negative split of 60:57 after passing the half marathon mark in 61:30.