World Records — Marathon Men

The Marathon Men world record stands at 1:59:30, set by Sabastian Kimaru Sawe (KEN) in 2026. Explore its full progression through athletics history.

Record progression

Mark over the years. The higher the curve, the better the record.

1:56:402:13:202:30:002:46:40195020002:55:18.4 · Hayes1:59:30 · Sawe

Record History

2026Sabastian Kimaru SaweCurrentKEN—Apr 26, 2026LondonOngoing1:59:30-65.00s
2023Kelvin KiptumKEN—Oct 8, 2023Chicago Marathon2.5 years2:00:35-34.00s
2022Eliud KipchogeKEN—Sep 25, 2022Berlin Marathon12 months2:01:09-30.00s
2018Eliud KipchogeKEN—Sep 16, 2018Berlin Marathon4 years2:01:39-78.00s
2014Dennis KimettoKEN—Sep 28, 2014Berlin Marathon4 years2:02:57-26.00s
2013Wilson KipsangKEN—Sep 29, 2013Berlin Marathon12 months2:03:23-15.00s
2011Patrick MakauKEN—Sep 25, 2011Berlin Marathon2 years2:03:38-21.00s
2008Haile GebrselassieETH—Sep 28, 2008Berlin Marathon3 years2:03:59-27.00s
2007Haile GebrselassieETH—Sep 30, 2007Berlin Marathon12 months2:04:26-29.00s
2003Paul TergatKEN—Sep 28, 2003Berlin Marathon4 years2:04:55-43.00s
2002Khalid KhannouchiMAR—Apr 14, 2002London Marathon18 months2:05:38-4.00s
1999Khalid KhannouchiMAR—Oct 24, 1999Chicago Marathon2.5 years2:05:42-23.00s
1998Ronaldo Da CostaBRA—Sep 20, 1998Berlin Marathon13 months2:06:05-45.00s
1988Belayneh DinsamoETH—Apr 17, 1988Rotterdam Marathon10.4 years2:06:50-22.00s
1985Carlos LopesPOR—Apr 20, 1985Rotterdam Marathon3 years2:07:12-53.00s
1984Steve JonesGBR—Oct 21, 1984Chicago Marathon6 months2:08:05-13.00s
1981Robert De CastellaAUS—Dec 6, 1981Fukuoka Marathon2.9 years2:08:18-15.60s
1969Derek ClaytonAUS—May 30, 1969Antwerp, Belgium12.5 years2:08:33.6-62.80s
1967Derek ClaytonAUS—Dec 3, 1967Fukuoka Marathon18 months2:09:36.4-143.60s
1965Morio ShigematsuJPN—Jun 12, 1965Polytechnic Marathon2.5 years2:12:00-11.20s
1964Abebe BikilaETH—Oct 21, 1964Tokyo Olympics, Japan8 months2:12:11.2-103.80s
1964Basil HeatleyGBR—Jun 13, 1964Polytechnic Marathon4 months2:13:55-33.00s
1963Leonard EdelenUSA—Jun 15, 1963Polytechnic Marathon12 months2:14:28-47.80s
1963Toru TerasawaJPN—Feb 17, 1963Beppu-Ōita Marathon4 months2:15:15.8-0.40s
1960Abebe BikilaETH—Sep 10, 1960Rome Olympics, Italy2.4 years2:15:16.2-0.80s
1958Sergei PopovURS—Aug 24, 1958European Athletics Championships, Stockholm, Sweden2 years2:15:17.0-142.40s
1954Jim PetersGBR—Jun 26, 1954Polytechnic Marathon4.2 years2:17:39.4-55.40s
1953Jim PetersGBR—Oct 4, 1953Turku Marathon9 months2:18:34.8-5.60s
1953Jim PetersGBR—Jun 13, 1953Polytechnic Marathon4 months2:18:40.4-121.80s
1952Jim PetersGBR—Jun 14, 1952Polytechnic Marathon12 months2:20:42.2-296.80s
1947Suh Yun-bokKOR—Apr 19, 1947Boston Marathon5.2 years2:25:39-63.00s
1935Sohn Kee-chungKOR—Nov 3, 1935Tokyo11.5 years2:26:42-2.00s
1935Yasuo IkenakaJPN—Apr 3, 1935Tokyo, Japan7 months2:26:44.0-65.00s
1935Fusashige SuzukiJPN—Mar 31, 1935Tokyo, Japan3 d2:27:49.0-72.80s
1925Albert MichelsenUSA—Oct 12, 1925Port Chester Marathon, United States9.5 years2:29:01.8-214.00s
1920Hannes KolehmainenFIN—Aug 22, 1920Antwerp Olympics, Belgium5.1 years2:32:35.8-210.80s
1913Alexis AhlgrenSWE—May 31, 1913Polytechnic Marathon7.2 years2:36:06.6-129.60s
1913Harry GreenGBR—May 12, 1913Polytechnic Marathon19 d2:38:16.2-138.00s
1909Thure JohanssonSWE—Aug 31, 1909Stockholm, Sweden3.7 years2:40:34.2-116.80s
1909Henry BarrettGBR—May 8, 1909London4 months2:42:31.0-213.60s
1909Albert RainesUSA—May 8, 1909New York City, United StatesEqualled2:46:04.6-48.20s
1909James ClarkXXX—Feb 12, 1909New York City3 months2:46:52.8-352.60s
1909Robert FowlerUSA—Jan 1, 1909Yonkers,[nb 5] United States42 d2:52:45.4-153.00s
1908Johnny HayesUSA—Jul 24, 1908London Olympics, England5 months2:55:18.4—
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Sabastian Kimaru Sawe (Kenya) holds the Marathon Men world record with 1:59:30, set on April 26, 2026 in London.

Kelvin Kiptum (Kenya) held it with 2:00:35, from October 8, 2023 until April 26, 2026 (2 years).

Elite Trackr's progression lists 43 improvements since 1908, when Johnny Hayes set 2:55:18.4.