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Marathon world record

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Sabastian Sawe just went under 2 hours in the London marathon. Astonishing. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 11:41 am
nickc reacted
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That was a hell of a run!


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 11:42 am
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Second guy must be a bit annoyed, sub 2 hours and only second.


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 12:24 pm
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 Bazz
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My sprint isn't even that fast ☹️


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 12:26 pm
 nuke
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Amazing achievement. Did an XC ride yesterday and was happy to hit 13mph average speed...he ran at that average speed!


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 12:59 pm
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Nuts.  🫪


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 1:07 pm
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That’s amazing especially in a race rather than a made for tv time trial


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 2:02 pm
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Posted by: richmars

Second guy must be a bit annoyed, sub 2 hours and only second.

I mean, he's probably fairly pleased with his marathon debut to beat the world record that was standing at the start of the race. 

 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 2:15 pm
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30-35km time was apparently only 5 seconds off the world park run record. Bonkers. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 2:23 pm
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Saves time when you don't stop for a 💩


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 7:25 pm
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Posted by: tuboflard

30-35km time was apparently only 5 seconds off the world park run record. Bonkers. 

It is amazing how quick they are. I suspect the distance that my all out effort vs their marathon average is going to match is around 400m or so. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 7:39 pm
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Posted by: dissonance

It is amazing how quick they are. I suspect the distance that my all out effort vs their marathon average is going to match is around 400m or so. 

Unless you’re a really good runner you’ll do well to last 400m at his pace. It’s basically 1 minute 400’s, and that rapid. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 9:20 pm
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Posted by: nuke

Amazing achievement. Did an XC ride yesterday and was happy to hit 13mph average speed...he ran at that average speed!

I do road rides at that pace!

 


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 9:38 pm
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Posted by: lunge

Unless you’re a really good runner you’ll do well to last 400m at his pace. It’s basically 1 minute 400’s, and that rapid. 

I might be rounding up to try and keep my ego intact.

It is insane looking at their average speeds over a marathon and then looking at all out PBs over rather shorter distances.


 
Posted : 26/04/2026 9:39 pm
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That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

Watch something like pro football, and you can see the skill and speed compared to Sunday players.

As said above, the pace we watched yesterday is just insane. It's a completely different sport to 'normal' running.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 7:03 am
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Posted by: richmars

As said above, the pace we watched yesterday is just insane.

Imagine being Kejelcha this morning, you run a marathon under 2 hours and no one is talking about you because you still came 2nd...


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 7:31 am
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That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

Agree.  I don't run so to me they are just running as I have nothing to compare them with.  Clearly they are incredibly fast but still no reference to me whereas when cyclists are averaging 30mph I know exactly what that means and such a short amount of time I could hold that speed for.  Still, this is comparing me who has never been good at any athletic sport with the very best people in the world.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 7:49 am
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Also it has to be said, revolutions in equipment technology and nutrition have both had a massive impact on sports like running and cycling. About 20 years ago I went to a dinner with David Miller speaking and his opinion back then was that the difference between a good cat 1 and an average pro wasn't that huge. That's clearly no longer true. Aero gains and nutrition have made such a massive difference to not just the endurance, but the speed that can be maintained by the very top elites. Even running shoes  - the Addidas evos weigh about 100g for the pair! and had a stack of 39mm - massively cushioned (so much for the flat shoe revolution)


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 8:42 am
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Posted by: richmars

That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

I was thinking about this yesterday when out for a short (30km) road ride. On a steady, gentle, descent, I gave it some beans and held 45kmh for about 1min. It was all I could do, absolute max. Pogacar held the same speed, 45kmh, over 5.5hrs, 260km with 4000m of climbing in L-B-L yesterday. 

If you've not already seen it, have a look at the videos online of runners trying to match Kipchoge's world record pace on the "tumblelator". Decent club runners struggle to hold it for 30 seconds. Just mad. 

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 8:48 am
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I remember trying to get to sub 2 hr marathon speed out a run/ride with my son. - he was riding (about 8 years old maybe, something like that) and we were talking about how fast it was, so we tried to get there, At the time I could run a pretty respectable sub-40 min 10k, and he had a computer on his bike...He could just get to 13mph on the flat, his little legs going like the clappers and I could hold it for about 200m - it felt like I was sprinting. It's crazy fast, and they make it look like they're jogging.  


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 8:58 am
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It breaks my brain a bit to think how fast these humans can run. 

For those saying they don't have much context an average* runner who jogs a bit and is ok, does a 10k in about an hour, this is 4 times that distance in twice the time, so double the speed most people would manage. No ego in this for me, Sawe would outpace me over any distance with his shoes tied together! 

*I'm still trying to achieve this level of average as my last 10k was 1:09 but damn it was hilly


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 9:13 am
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Posted by: kerley

I don't run so to me they are just running as I have nothing to compare them with.

It it helps paint a picture, his split between 30 and 35km was 13:54, the fastest ever parkrun ran was 13:44. Your average parkrunner completes 5k in 32 ish minutes. Sawe is running at over 13 miles per hour, 4:38 per mile.

The average person you seeing running on the street is probably running at 10 or 11 mins per mile. The fast guy at the local running club is aiming to run their marathon in 3 hours, 6:52 per mile.

it is simply astonishing.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 9:15 am
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That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

Nah. Theory control and relaxed posture and the cadence is really evident. And if you look for the signs you see all the little micro  things.

Jepckosgei started suffering after she almost missed a water station. She got back but she was never quite in it to the same way.

Similarly kejelcha was thrown when Sawe cut right right to get a drink, he never recovered. As soon as it happened he was clearly thrown and having to work to stay with Sawe who just pulled away.

Lots of little things like that are all thereto watch. They have to run fast as **** and keep their head right. Thats hard work.

Except for Obiri nobody that runs like that has the right to be so god damn fast🤣

The only elite race that wasn't that interesting was the mens wheelchair. All the other ones had plenty of stuff for the commentators to discuss right up to the penultimate corner.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 9:17 am
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Posted by: lunge

The fast guy at the local running club is aiming to run their marathon in 3 hours, 6:52 per mile.

My fastest ever marathon is a 3:48. I was aiming for a sub 3.45, and it was the Aylesbury marathon which is flat as a pancake. I died a million deaths trying to go that fast. You have to run 8.30 min miles. Never again.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 9:27 am
 wbo
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For a reference for Kerley they are the absolute elite of aerobic performance, and you'd need to compare to Pogacar for any relevance. I can't think of a number to compare them for power or similar.  Obviously everyone will have a good VO2 max (well above 75) but VO2 max isn't so super important once you get over 70 or so for running, weight, and running economy become the big variables.

They're knocking out 2.50 kilometers average, panning out to 14.15 per 5K, and that is pretty good ( and I know how that feels (smug)), but for 2 hours!


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:04 am
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Posted by: nickc

My fastest ever marathon is a 3:48. I was aiming for a sub 3.45, and it was the Aylesbury marathon which is flat as a pancake. I died a million deaths trying to go that fast. You have to run 8.30 min miles. Never again.

Anything under 4 is very, very impressive. And yet that's still half the pace of Sawe...


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:07 am
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On the no context thing it’s kinda like the opposite of rowing. Up to 8 absolute units going hell for leather only for the camera to pan out to see a kid running alongside or a cyclist keeping up, tootling along at a pretty relaxed pace 🤣 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:08 am
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Posted by: tomhoward

On the no context thing it’s kinda like the opposite of rowing. Up to 8 absolute units going hell for leather only for the camera to pan out to see a kid running alongside or a cyclist keeping up, tootling along at a pretty relaxed pace 🤣 

When i rowed on the clyde there are sections where the coach would disapear as he also had to stay ahead of the rabid dogs in a travellers site.

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:18 am
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My mate put the marathon on TV about halfway through - I looked at the front runners, not knowing anything about the marathon and said, that guy will win, his face is so relaxed, looks like he's chilling in an armchair. Turned out it was Sawe and he won it 😀


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:20 am
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The thing that strikes me when watching them is they just don't 'look' that fast..they look like they are jogging. Yet if I'm going that fast (for 100m max) I'd look like I was full on sprinting

Sub 2 hrs is unfathomable to me


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 10:57 am
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Posted by: joshvegas

That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

I get this watching the Olympics. Running, cycling, archery, sailing, javelin, whatever. Yes, they're all much better at it than me but I can at least do that. The gymnastics on the other hand, how is that even possible?!


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 11:01 am
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Posted by: nuke

Amazing achievement. Did an XC ride yesterday and was happy to hit 13mph average speed...he ran at that average speed!

 

fair play to you i managed the grand total of 8.6 mph average speed on my mtb ride on saturday (was 36.36 miles and 2717 ft climbing in my defence). due to depression and laziness i am not a fit/fast rider.

 

fair play to the 2 marathon runners who broke 2 hours. that is crazy fast.  

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 1:17 pm
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Posted by: andrewh

The gymnastics on the other hand, how is that even possible?!

With gymnastics I can at least understand the progression from being a beginner to a world class athlete. Ski jump on the other hand, how does the incremental improvement happen there? 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 1:27 pm
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I was aiming for a sub 3.45

I had a colleague was a good runner, he managed 3:01 in his first London marathon, went back and managed to get under 3 the next year. I still have him on Strava, he'll occasionally run 9 miles to a parkrun, finish top 5, run home. He's also nuts! 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 1:33 pm
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Ski jump on the other hand, how does the incremental improvement happen there? 

Crash crash a little further crash some more.... Fly


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 1:34 pm
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Posted by: tthew

Ski jump on the other hand, how does the incremental improvement happen there? 

The size of the hill increases basically. You start on a slope with a small drop at the end and move up to bigger and steeper hills. So you hone the technique on hills where the risk of injury is much lower.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 1:59 pm
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Posted by: nuke

Did an XC ride yesterday and was happy to hit 13mph average speed...he ran at that average speed!

I rarely crack 10mph average on a 2 hour local solo mtb. My weekly "fast" group might manage 9-point-something. All depends on what you define as XC but its pretty flat where I am, 13mph I would feel like a god.

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 2:10 pm
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Posted by: toby1

I was aiming for a sub 3.45

I had a colleague was a good runner, he managed 3:01 in his first London marathon, went back and managed to get under 3 the next year. I still have him on Strava, he'll occasionally run 9 miles to a parkrun, finish top 5, run home. He's also nuts! 

I know someone who "wins" his parkruns.... Pushing a buggy.

Whats just so difficult to comprehend is the fastest runner you know running their fastest pace over a parkrun would basically be standing still in comparison 

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 3:13 pm
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Posted by: joshvegas

I know someone who "wins" his parkruns.... Pushing a buggy.

 

 

Peebles by any chance? I've come second there, in a time I was fairly chuffed with, and was beaten by a minute and a half by a bloke pushing a toddler in a pushchair 

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 3:20 pm
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Posted by: joshvegas

I know someone who "wins" his parkruns.... Pushing a buggy.

Going back a few years, I was regularly putting in a sub-20 parkun.  One Saturday within the 1st half a mile I was towards the front when a bloke running with a small dog came flying past me.  After a little way his dog needed a crap so he stopped, I came past and assumed that was the last I'd see of him, but nope, he came past me within the next mile or so, dog lead in one hand and a little bag dog crap in the other!


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 4:36 pm
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Its nuts, truly mental.  Seven minute miles would make you a really decent club runner, a 2 hour marathon means 26 sub 5 minute miles (close to 4:30).  I'm by no means a runner, but did a half marathon about 15 years ago.  These guys are running more than twice as fast as me over twice the distance, its astonishing.  But then I'm pretty certain Pog would be more than twice as fast as me on a 1 hour TT too.


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 4:50 pm
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Posted by: verses

Posted by: joshvegas

I know someone who "wins" his parkruns.... Pushing a buggy.

Going back a few years, I was regularly putting in a sub-20 parkun.  One Saturday within the 1st half a mile I was towards the front when a bloke running with a small dog came flying past me.  After a little way his dog needed a crap so he stopped, I came past and assumed that was the last I'd see of him, but nope, he came past me within the next mile or so, dog lead in one hand and a little bag dog crap in the other!

Ha. No not peebles however taht os my local parkrun and there is a rapid barkrunner i imagine its the same one, i have had exactly the same experience.except my time is alot slower,i only dream of sub 20 these days.

 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 5:17 pm
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Sub 20 is swift, I just looked at my local and that would get you top 10 most weeks. There's usually a really quick one or two, in the 17's and then high 18s and 19's to get top ten.

They'd probably avoid being lapped but they'd certainly be in his sights, given it's a 3 laps of the park parkrun.

(I know, they wouldn't because he wouldn't run 13.40 pace on a part off road course, but for context on how different the different gravy is) 


 
Posted : 27/04/2026 5:38 pm
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I feel sorry for the guy in third, broke the previous world record but was just outside 2 hours so no-one is talking about him.

 

Re: running pushing a buggy - I reckon some of the fancy ones that are designed for running give you an advantage, depending on the nature of the course.


 
Posted : 28/04/2026 12:21 pm
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Posted by: joshvegas

Posted by: joshvegas

 

That's the problem with these runners (and pro cyclists). You look at them on TV, and it's just running, ok, a bit faster than I could do it, but just running.

 

 

I get this watching the Olympics. Running, cycling, archery, sailing, javelin, whatever. Yes, they're all much better at it than me but I can at least do that. The gymnastics on the other hand, how is that even possible?!

There’s only two in that list I can actually do, and the cycling becomes a bit of a struggle after a few miles, but that’s mainly because I haven’t ridden for over a decade, I’m in my 70’s, and I’m riding a 15kg hardtail with 2.3” Minions, so it’s hard work to say the least! 
The archery I’ve only been doing for three years, so I’ve got a lot to learn, I’ll never be as consistent as competition archers, but at least I can get arrows in the yellow bit fairly often! Anything else, a reasonable stroll is my maximum speed!


 
Posted : 28/04/2026 11:43 pm