# 2026 global marathon events > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-global-marathon-season-highlights-record-attempts-new-formats-and-charitable-runs > Updated: 2026-06-15T22:00:00.000Z. Sources: 124. Developments: 21. In early April, the Rotterdam Marathon saw a new women’s course record set by 20‑year‑old Ethiopian Shimeles, while the Manchester Marathon attracted a record‑size field and a Guinness World Record for a sari run. Hamburg celebrated its 40th edition, and London explored a two‑day format that could double participation and raise £400 million for charity. London’s 2026 race also highlighted personal stories – a teacher running after heart surgery and fathers honoring daughters – and, later in the month, elite athletes Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo were billed as possible sub‑two‑hour contenders. The anticipation materialised when Adidas unveiled its Pro Evo 3 shoe, and Sawe won London in 1:59:30, the first official sub‑two‑hour marathon, with Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha close behind. May brought diverse developments: the Palestine Marathon resumed in Bethlehem, emphasizing the “Right to Movement” theme; the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon raised nearly £240 000 for MND; and the Rabat International Marathon set a participation record of 25 000 runners. In South Africa, prize‑money disputes at the Soweto Marathon prompted a government takeover, while the Cape Town Marathon attracted elite Kenyan runners. German running saw a surge, with record turnouts in Kehl’s Rheinuferlauf and Wuppertal’s Schwebebahnlauf, and a broader marathon boom testing novice athletes. Meanwhile, the Strabane‑Lifford Half Marathon highlighted cross‑border cooperation in Ireland, and Canadian veteran David Sykes completed the Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit at Boston. June’s coverage returned to the sub‑two‑hour milestone, reiterating Sawe’s record and the role of advanced footwear and nutrition, while Germany’s marathon enthusiasm continued to grow, underscoring the sport’s expanding global appeal in 2026. ## Timeline ### 2026-06-15: Sabastian Sawe breaks two‑hour barrier at London Marathon Sabastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, the first official sub‑two‑hour finish, aided by Adidas carbon‑plate shoes and high‑carb intake. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sabastian-sawe-breaks-twohour-barrier-at-london-marathon ### 2026-06-14: Kehl and Wuppertal see record participation in local running events Kehl's Rheinuferlauf set a participation record with 657 runners and a new 10‑km record, while Wuppertal's Schwebebahnlauf attracted over 7,000 participants, featuring repeat winners in both the 5‑km and 10‑km. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kehl-and-wuppertal-see-record-participation-in-local-running-events ### 2026-06-02: Germany's marathon boom tests novice runners Germany's marathon craze draws new runners, but beginners like Chris and reporter Alex Baur face physical and health challenges as participation climbs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-marathon-boom-tests-novice-runners ### 2026-06-01: Sebastian Sawe, Kenyan runner, breaks two‑hour barrier at London Marathon Kenyan Sebastian Sawe ran 1:59:30 to become the first person to break the two‑hour marathon barrier at the London Marathon, aided by a high‑carb fueling plan; Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha finished 11 seconds later 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sebastian-sawe-kenyan-runner-breaks-twohour-barrier-at-london-marathon ### 2026-05-18: 71‑year‑old Canadian runner David Sykes completes Abbott World Marathon Majors at Boston Marathon 71‑year‑old Canadian David Sykes finishes Boston Marathon, earning the Six Star Medal for completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/71yearold-canadian-runner-david-sykes-completes-abbott-world-marathon-majors-at-boston-marathon ### 2026-05-18: German athletes chase marathon records in Frankfurt and Lohr German runners target marathon records in Frankfurt, while Franka Fleckenstein posts a personal best in Lohr. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-athletes-chase-marathon-records-in-frankfurt-and-lohr ### 2026-05-15: Kenyan Runner Sebastian Sawe Breaks Two-Hour Marathon Barrier at London Marathon Sebastian Sawe of Kenya wins London Marathon in 1:59:30, the first official sub‑two‑hour marathon, after a church blessing. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenyan-runner-sebastian-sawe-breaks-two-hour-marathon-barrier-at-london-marathon ### 2026-05-15: Soweto Marathon prize money dispute sparks government action as Cape Town Marathon draws elite Kenyan runner Soweto Marathon prize money still unpaid, prompting government action, while Cape Town Marathon welcomes elite Kenyan runner Kipchoge. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/soweto-marathon-prize-money-dispute-sparks-government-action-as-cape-town-marathon-draws-elite-kenya ### 2026-05-12: Strabane Lifford Half Marathon draws over 1,000 runners to cross‑border course Over 1,000 runners will compete in the cross‑border Strabane Lifford Half Marathon, with a strong elite field and weather favoring fast times. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/strabane-lifford-half-marathon-draws-over-1000-runners-to-crossborder-course ### 2026-05-12: Sebastian Sawe to defend marathon world record at Berlin after historic sub‑2 hour London win Sebastian Sawe, first official sub‑2 hour marathoner, aims to improve his record at the Berlin Marathon on 27 Sept 2026. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sabastian-sawe-to-run-berlin-marathon-on-sept-27 ### 2026-05-10: Ethiopian Boki Deriba Sets New Record at Rabat International Marathon Ethiopia's Boki Deriba broke the Rabat Marathon record as the 9th edition attracted a record 25,000 runners. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ethiopian-boki-deriba-sets-new-record-at-rabat-international-marathon ### 2026-05-08: Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon raises nearly £240,000 for MND charity Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on May 10 raised nearly £240k for the MND Association, drawing over 15,000 runners and citywide support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rob-burrow-leeds-marathon-raises-nearly-240000-for-mnd-charity ### 2026-05-08: Palestine Marathon resumes in Bethlehem, highlighting right to movement The 10th Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem returned after a two‑year war hiatus, drawing 13,000 runners to protest movement restrictions. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestine-marathon-resumes-in-bethlehem-highlighting-right-to-movement ### 2026-05-06: Adidas Pro Evo 3 powers sub‑two‑hour marathon victories Adidas’s Pro Evo 3 shoe helped Sabastian Sawe break the two‑hour marathon barrier in London, with Yomif Kejelcha close behind. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/adidas-pro-evo-3-powers-subtwohour-marathon-victories ### 2026-05-03: Belfast and Pittsburgh city marathons attract thousands of runners in 2026 2026 marathons in Belfast and Pittsburgh attract thousands of runners, turning city streets into major race events. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/belfast-and-pittsburgh-city-marathons-attract-thousands-of-runners-in-2026 ### 2026-04-25: London Marathon contenders pursue sub-two-hour barrier as two top runners aim for historic time London Marathon contenders Sawe and Kiplimo chase a sub-two-hour finish, amid debate sparked by Kipchoge’s unofficial 1:59:40 time. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-marathon-contenders-pursue-sub-two-hour-barrier-as-two-top-runners-aim-for-historic-time ### 2026-04-24: London Marathon features teacher running after heart surgery and two fathers honoring daughters London Marathon features a teacher running after heart surgery to honour her daughter, and two fathers running in memory of their daughters from the Southport. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-marathon-features-teacher-running-after-heart-surgery-and-two-fathers-honoring-daughters ### 2026-04-22: London Marathon eyes two-day format with £400m economic impact London Marathon considers a two-day format with £400m impact; 2026 race details and viewing guidance also covered. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-marathon-eyes-two-day-format-with-400m-economic-impact ### 2026-04-22: Hamburg Marathon's 40-year milestone and Rostock Citylauf eyeing record turnout Hamburg Marathon marks 40 years with a runner who has attended every edition; Rostock Citylauf 2026 targets 3,500 participants. 80 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hamburg-marathons-40-year-milestone-and-rostock-citylauf-eyeing-record-turnout ### 2026-04-19: Manchester Marathon 2026 sets record as thousands participate Manchester Marathon 2026 draws thousands in its largest edition as Madhusmita Jena, 46, sets a Guinness World Record for a sari marathon. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/manchester-marathon-2026-sets-record-as-thousands-participate ### 2026-04-12: Rotterdam Marathon: halfway leaders on track for course record as Shimeles sets women's mark Rotterdam Marathon: halfway leaders on track for course record; Shimeles sets women's record in 2:18:56, Adola wins men. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rotterdam-marathon-halfway-leaders-on-track-for-course-record-as-shimeles-sets-womens-mark --- Cite as: 2026 global marathon events. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-global-marathon-season-highlights-record-attempts-new-formats-and-charitable-runs