Sawe topples pecking order in London as Kipruto shatters Hamburg course record

 Sabastian Sawe wins the London Marathon/ HANDOUT

Winning the London Marathon for the first time of asking has given Sabastian Sawe hope of dominating the distance in years to come.

Sawe, the 2023 World Half Marathon champion Sawe conquered a star-studded field to make it two wins in two, adding to his dominant debut win at the Valencia Marathon in December.

And while he ruled the London streets, his compatriot Amos Kipturo, the 2019 World Marathon bronze medallist, was lowering the Hamburg Marathon course title in Germany.

Sawe tore up the script to clinch victory in 2:02:27. He outclassed Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who impressed with a 2:03:27 finish in his marathon debut.

Defending champion, Alexander Munyao, edged out the Netherlands’ Abdi Nageeye for third in a dramatic photo finish, both crossing the line in 2:04:20.

Marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, a four-time London winner, placed sixth in 2:05:25, with compatriot Hillary Kipkoech close behind in 2:06:05.

Sawe made his decisive move at the 32km mark, breaking away from an elite pack of eight and setting a relentless pace all the way to the finish line.

He is daring to dream even bigger.

"This gives me hope that further success in marathons will come," Sawe said post-race.

The 29-year-old announced his arrival on the scene in Valencia, clocking 2:02:05 — the second-fastest debut in history, just 12 seconds shy of the late Kelvin Kiptum’s 2:01:53 set on the same course in 2022.

He became the fifth-fastest man over the distance.

Sawe credited Sunday's commanding win to meticulous preparation and a calm mindset.

"I am very happy to have won a major marathon," he said. "I was well prepared for this; that is why I was so relaxed and confident."

Meanwhile, despite finishing sixth, Kipchoge was upbeat about his race.

"I am happy with the performance and the race. I am happy to be back here in London and also finish the race and inspire more people," Kipchoge said.

He was pleased after finishing in London, erasing the setback of dropping out of his previous race at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"It was nice to finish with a good time after the Paris disappointment," he said. "I am not here to prove anything to anybody in the world but to run and inspire."

Ethiopia’s Olympic silver medallist Tigst Assefa rewrote the record books, slashing Peres Jepchirchir’s women-only world record of 2:16:16 by clocking 2:15:50.

Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei battled valiantly to finish second in 2:18:44, with Olympic champion Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands rounding out the podium in 2:19:00.

Although she missed lowering her 2:16:24 personal best from the same course last year, Jepkosgei was content with her podium finish.

"I am grateful for finishing second. At first, my target was to finish with a personal best, but I am so grateful because the marathon is different. I am happy with what I have done today," Jepkosgei said.

She revealed that the humid conditions presented early challenges.

"The humidity caused a problem for me at the start, but I just controlled myself and took it easy."

In Hamburg, Kipruto shattered the previous course record of 2:04:09 held by compatriot Bernard Koech after crossing the line in 2:03:46, clocking the first sub-2:04 in the history of the race.

Compatriots Philemon Kiplimo (2:04:01) and Erick Sang' (2:04:30) completed the podium.

In the women's race, Ethiopia's Workenesh Edesa clocked 2:17:55 to claim victory ahead of former world record holder Brigid Kosgei (2:18:26) and Kumeshi Sichala (2:19:53).