Sabastian Sawe won the 2026 London Marathon in 1:59:30, breaking the marathon world record and becoming the first athlete to go under two hours in a ratified race. Tigst Assefa won the women's race in 2:15:41, setting a new women-only world record. Both raced in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.
The London Marathon is always one you keep an eye on. This year even more so. A deep field of elite men and women were announced, and some speculation around shoe prototypes and world record paces were being floated.
The London Marathon is usually fast, usually deep, and you expect something to come out of it. But this year felt a little different, even from early on. On race day the pace was honest, fast from the get-go and no one looked like they were waiting around for the race to come to them.
By halfway, it was already building into something special. Here at Run Havoc in Wollongong, we were watching the splits come through live and it was clear this was going to be a day that changes how people think about the marathon.
What Happened in the Men's Race at London 2026?
Sabastian Sawe ended up taking the win in 1:59:30, breaking the marathon world record and becoming the first athlete to go under two hours in a proper race setting.
What stood out wasn't just the time, it was how controlled it all looked.
He came through halfway in 60:29, already moving quicker than most world record attempts, but still looking relaxed. From there, instead of holding on, he lifted. Closing the second half in 59:01. That's a negative split at sub-2 pace, which is something you almost never see at this level.
It works out to roughly 2:48 per kilometre, but even that doesn't fully capture it. When you break it down further, you're looking at:
- Average of around 14:10 per 5km
- Consistent 68–69 second laps per 400m
What also became clear as the race unfolded was how efficient everything looked. His stride didn't change much late, cadence stayed high, and there wasn't that typical "fight" you see in the last 5–10km of a marathon. It looked more like he was maintaining and getting faster rather than trying to survive it.
Wearing the same shoe, and coming in at second place was Yomif Kejelcha, who ran 1:59:41. It was his marathon debut as well, which makes it arguably just as impressive.
He didn't get dragged to that time either, he was right there through the key parts of the race, committing early and holding on when it mattered. Through halfway he was still well in contact, and while Sawe started to edge away late, Kejelcha didn't fall apart. He kept it together, stayed efficient, and still managed to dip under the two-hour mark.
That's roughly 2:49/km pace, which in most races wins comfortably. In this one, it got him second.
In third place was Jacob Kiplimo, who crossed the line in 2:00:28. On paper, it just misses the sub-2 mark. But in context, it's still quicker than what used to be the world record, which says everything about how deep this race was.
Kiplimo was wearing a new prototype from Nike (which Co-Founder Josh and I might have just seen at Nike HQ on our recent visit to Portland – more on that later!)
What Did the Women's Race Look Like at London 2026?
In the Women's race, records were also broken, which just shows how strong a day athletes were having in London!
Tigst Assefa took the win in 2:15:41, setting a new women-only marathon world record. She looked controlled, measured, and built really well from start to finish.
She came through halfway right on pace and then gradually lifted, which is becoming more common at the top end of the women's field. It's less about hanging on late, and more about being able to keep building when others start to fade and using some race tactics and learning when the right time to kick is.
At that level, she's averaging around 3:12/km pace:
- ~16:00 per 5km
- And still able to change gears late in the race
On her feet as well, surprise – the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3.
What made this race even better was how tight it was behind her. Hellen Obiri came through for second in 2:15:53, and Joyciline Jepkosgei followed in 2:15:55. Both times were under the previous women-only world record. So for the first time ever, you had three women under 2:16 in the same race.
That says a lot about the depth and where women's running is at now. How good is this to see!?
What Shoe Did the London Marathon 2026 Winners Wear?
On the top 2 men and 1st women feet was the all-new Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. That shoe was hard to miss across the front of the race. It's incredibly light, sitting at around 97 grams, and built very differently to most traditional marathon shoes. It features a carbon rim system instead of a traditional plate or rods, and a super light, responsive and soft Lightstrike Pro Evo foam.
This midsole setup is all about efficiency at race pace. You've got a high-stack, super responsive foam paired with Carbon Rim (rather than a single plate), which helps guide the foot through each stride without feeling overly rigid.
If you're looking to experience carbon plate technology in your own racing, the Adidas Adizero range is one of the most proven options on the market right now. While the Evo 3 is a prototype not yet available to the public, browse our full Men's race shoes and Women's race shoes at Run Havoc to find the right super shoe for your next race.
What Makes a Super Shoe? (And Why It Matters for Your Running)
You've probably heard the term "super shoe" thrown around a lot lately. But what actually makes the best marathon shoes of 2026 different from a regular trainer?
There are three main ingredients: a high-stack responsive foam like Adidas' Lightstrike Pro Evo or Nike's ZoomX, an incredibly lightweight build, and a carbon fibre plate (or in the case of the Evo 3, a carbon rim system). Together these work to improve running economy – meaning you use less energy at the same pace. For elite runners, that's the difference between a world record and second place.
According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, carbon plate super shoes improve running economy by 2–4% even for recreational runners. That's the kind of margin that can take 5–10 minutes off a marathon. At Run Havoc in Wollongong, we see this play out regularly — runners who make the switch to a carbon shoe for race day almost always come back with a new PB. If you're not sure which shoe is right for your gait and pace, our guide to carbon plate shoes vs regular trainers is a good place to start.
What shoes do elite marathon runners wear? In 2026, the answer is almost always a super shoe. The Adidas Adizero, Nike Alphafly, and Nike Vaporfly Next% remain the most raced shoes at the front of major marathons worldwide.
At Run Havoc, we stock the leading super running shoes from the top brands. Whether you're racing your first marathon or chasing a qualifier, the right shoe makes a real difference.
Why Does This Race Matter for Everyday Runners?
It's hard to talk about this race without mentioning how much things have changed. Training systems, super shoes, crowds and running in general.
You've now got:
- Athletes running 2:48/km for a full marathon
- Negative splitting at world record pace
- And doing it in shoes that are genuinely changing efficiency
Modern "super shoes" aren't just marketing anymore. Carbon plates, high-stack foams, and lightweight builds are all working together to improve running economy, even small percentages that matter massively at this level.
When you're sitting right on the limit for two hours, even a 1–2% gain is huge!
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoes did the London Marathon 2026 winner wear?
Sabastian Sawe won the 2026 London Marathon wearing the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a prototype shoe weighing approximately 97 grams. Women's winner Tigst Assefa also wore the same shoe.
What is the marathon world record after London 2026?
The men's marathon world record is now 1:59:30, set by Sabastian Sawe at the 2026 London Marathon — the first sub-two-hour marathon in a formally ratified race. The women's world record is 2:15:41, set by Tigst Assefa at the same event.
What is a negative split in marathon running?
A negative split means running the second half of a race faster than the first. Sabastian Sawe ran the first half of the 2026 London Marathon in 60:29 and the second half in 59:01 – a negative split at world record pace, which is extraordinarily rare.
Are carbon plate shoes worth it for amateur runners?
Yes. Studies consistently show carbon plate super shoes improve running economy by 2–4% even for recreational runners. If you're racing a marathon or half marathon, a super shoe is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. Come into Run Havoc in Wollongong and we'll help you find the right one for your race.
What is the lightest marathon racing shoe available?
As of 2026, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 prototype is among the lightest marathon shoes ever made at around 97 grams. The current consumer version of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro remains one of the lightest race-legal options available.
Did any women go under 2:16 at London 2026?
Yes — for the first time in history, three women broke 2:16 in the same race. Tigst Assefa won in 2:15:41 (world record), Hellen Obiri ran 2:15:53, and Joyciline Jepkosgei finished in 2:15:55. Both Obiri and Jepkosgei also ran under the previous women-only world record.
Where can I buy carbon plate marathon shoes in Wollongong?
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks the leading carbon plate marathon shoes from Adidas, Nike, and other top brands. Browse our Men's race shoes and Women's race shoes online, or come in and our team will put you on the treadmill to find the right fit.
A photo our co-founder Josh took while in Boston for the Marathon.
From Our Side
Watching a race like that doesn't make you think you need to run two hours.
But it does make you think about how you approach your own running.
Maybe you don't need to hold back as much early.
Maybe you can trust your pacing a bit more.
Maybe there's more there if you commit to it.
Maybe, you can do that hard thing...
As Kipchoge, the previous marathon world record holder said, no human is limited.
That's probably the biggest takeaway.
Ready to Race in the Best Marathon Shoes of 2026?
If this race has you thinking about your own running, we've got you covered. Shop our full range of Men's race shoes and Women's race shoes at Run Havoc – including the Adidas Adizero range, Nike Vaporfly, and Nike Alphafly. Or come into our store in Wollongong and our team will put you on the treadmill and find the right shoe for your next race. Because if the world's best can run a marathon in under two hours, there's no reason you can't run yours a little faster.
London Marathon 2026
This one will stick around for a while.
Not just because it was quick, but because it felt like a genuine shift in how the marathon is raced, and what people believe is possible.
And now that it's happened once, you get the feeling it won't be the last!
Riley Kilham
Riley is the General Manager at Run Havoc and brings hands-on experience from years of triathlon, running events, and coaching. He writes about training, performance, and finding the right gear, combining real-world insight with a passion for helping others get the most out of their movement.
