The London Marathon made the impossible possible. A feat that seemed out of reach for at least a few more years has now been achieved, and in truly spectacular fashion. For marathoners around the world, Sébastien Sauve’s feat was an unforgettable moment to witness — breaking the two-hour barrier not once, but twice in the same race. For us, it really felt like history was unfolding in real time.In what I would call a race for the ages, Save completed the 42.195 km distance in 1:59:30. Just 11 seconds behind him was Ethiopian debutant Yumef Kejalcha, who ran in less than two hours. Jacob Kapalimo of Uganda rounded the podium with 2:00:28, faster than the previous world record set by the late Kelvin Kaptum in 2023. Such performances feel real and give players like me the confidence that even the highest benchmarks can be challenged.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Although I didn’t watch the race live, I later reviewed the full recording and analyzed it with my coaches. We discussed how performances like this are shaping the future of marathon running and what adjustments I can make to improve my times. Earlier this month, I clocked 2:11:58 at the Rotterdam Marathon, setting a new national record and breaking the 48-year-old Indian mark. This achievement means a lot to me, but seeing what happened in London motivates me to aim even higher.Several factors contributed to the unusual results in London. One key factor is the advancement in shoe technology—what we call “supershoes.” This next-generation ultra-light shoe features energy-returning foam and carbon plates with significantly increased performance. Technology and science have reduced the human element in the modern marathon era. Personally, I’ve been using ASICS Meta Speed shoes for the past two years, and they’ve helped me lower my times and improve my performance.
Sawan Burwal
The weather in London also played an important role. The wind was favorable and the temperature suitable for long distance running. In a marathon, even minor environmental changes can affect performance. A headwind could have made a huge difference in the final laps.But, in my mind, the key factor was the role of the pacemakers. Pacemakers are central to elite running – they help maintain rhythm, conserve energy, and intelligently structure races. In London, the pacemakers executed their strategy perfectly, establishing consistent splits and leading the frontrunners in every stage of the race.I often train in Colorado Springs in the US, where the high-altitude conditions and world-class facilities help improve endurance and oxygen efficiency. There, training with quality pacemakers has significantly enhanced the marathon experience.One thing that stood out in London was the race strategy. Savage finished the second half faster than the first, at just 59:01. If I want to hit a 2:08 marathon in the future, that is my goal. Asian GamesI will divide the race into three parts. First, I would aim for an average pace of 6:07 per km. For the first five kilometers, my target is 6:10 per kilometer. Then I’ll settle for 30km at 6:07/km and then increase my intensity to 6:05/km for the last 12km. This is called the ’10-10-10′ method.Nutrition and mileage are equally important. Preparing for a marathon requires discipline — consistent high mileage, carefully planned diet, and proper recovery. I focus on maintaining a lean, carb-free, efficient body while making sure I get the right nutrients to sustain long training sessions before any big event.What happened in London has certainly changed the way marathons are viewed. It has given a marathoner like me a renewed confidence to push the limits.(National record holder in marathon, Sawan Burwal (talked to Sabi Hussain)
