Sebastian Sawe (AP Photo) The impossible was made possible at the London Marathon. Now a feat that seemed out of reach for at least a few more years has been achieved, and in truly spectacular fashion. For marathon runners around the world, Sabastian Saw’s performance was an unforgettable moment — breaking the two-hour mark, not once, but twice in a single race. For us, it really felt like history was unfolding in real time.In what I would call a race for the ages, Sawe completed the 42.195km distance in 1:59:30. Just 11 seconds behind him was Ethiopian debutant Yomif Kejelcha, who also ran under two hours. Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished on the podium with a time of 2:00:28, which is also faster than the previous world record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023. Performances like these feel surreal and have given athletes like me a renewed belief that even the highest standards can be challenged.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Although I didn’t watch the race live, I later went through the entire footage and thoroughly analyzed it with my coaches. We discussed how such performances shape the future of marathon running and what adjustments I can make to improve my own timing. Earlier this month, I clocked 2:11:58 in the Rotterdam Marathon, setting a new national record and breaking the 48-year-old Indian mark. This success means a lot to me, but seeing what happened in London motivates me to aim even higher.Several factors contributed to the extraordinary results in London. One of the main elements is the advancement in footwear technology – what we call “super shoes”. These new generation ultralight shoes with energy return foam and carbon plates have a significantly higher performance. The technology and science that goes with it has reduced the human element in the modern era of the marathon. I have personally used the ASICS Meta Speed shoes for the past two years and they have helped me reduce timing and improve efficiency.
Seizures of Barwal
The weather also played a crucial role in London. The wind was favorable and the temperature ideal for long distance running. In marathons, even small environmental changes can affect performance. The headwind could have had a big effect on the final timing.But in my opinion the key factor was the role of pacemakers. Pacemakers are central to elite racing – they help maintain rhythm, conserve energy and intelligently structure the race. In London, the pacers executed their strategy perfectly, setting consistent split times and leading the front runners through every stage of the race.I often train in Colorado Springs, USA, where the alpine conditions and first-class facilities help improve endurance and oxygen efficiency. Training with the quality pacemakers there greatly improved my marathon experience.One thing that stood out in London was the racing strategy. Sawe finished the second half faster than the first, in just 59:01. If I were to aim for a 2:08 marathon in the future, which is my goal for the Asian Games, I would split the race into three segments. First I would aim for an average pace of 6:07 per km. For the first five kilometers I would like to achieve 6:10 per km. Then I settle at 6:07 per km until 30 km and then increase the intensity for the last 12 km to 6:05 per km. It’s called the ’10-10-10′ method.Nutrition and mileage are equally important. Preparing for a marathon requires discipline — consistently high mileage, a carefully planned diet, and adequate recovery. I focus on maintaining a light, performance body without carbs while making sure I get the right nutrients for long workouts before any major event.What happened in London definitely changed the view of marathon running. A marathon runner like me has a renewed faith that limits are meant to be pushed.(national marathon record holder, Seizures of Barwal spoke to Sabi Hussain)
