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What Watches Did the 2026 London Marathon Record Breakers Wear?
The 2026 London Marathon was not just another fast major. On April 26, 2026, Sabastian Sawe won in 1:59:30, Yomif Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, and Tigst Assefa defended her title in a 2:15:41 women-only world record, according to the World Athletics race report.
After the records, another question started circulating among running-watch fans: what watches were they wearing?
The answer is more interesting than a simple flagship-watch checklist. Based on visual comparison from race photos, the likely watches were:
| Athlete | Result | Wearable visible in photos | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabastian Sawe | 1:59:30, men's world record | Garmin Forerunner 245-looking watch | High visual match |
| Yomif Kejelcha | 1:59:41, marathon debut | WHOOP band on right wrist, Coros-looking GPS watch on left wrist | WHOOP band likely; left watch uncertain |
| Tigst Assefa | 2:15:41, women-only world record | Garmin Forerunner 255-looking watch | High visual match |
These are visual identifications, not official brand confirmations. But the shapes, bezels, button layouts, and side profiles give us enough clues to make a careful call.
Sabastian Sawe: Garmin Forerunner 245 Clues
The first photos of Sawe were hard to read because the watch blends into the wrist and arm angle. From the front, the case is visible, but the bezel and lugs are not obvious enough for a quick call.
The stronger clue comes from side and close-up angles. The case profile, button placement, and round Forerunner-style body look very close to the Garmin Forerunner 245.
Compare that with the Forerunner 245 side shape:
For a runner who just broke the marathon's official two-hour barrier, that is a surprisingly modest watch. The Forerunner 245 is not Garmin's current flagship and does not have every new metric found on newer Forerunner 970 or Fenix models. It is still light, reliable, button-driven, and accurate enough for serious marathon training.
That is the bigger point: at elite level, the watch records the work. It does not create the performance.
Yomif Kejelcha: Dual-Wrist Setup
Kejelcha is the most interesting case because he appears to be wearing two devices.
In one angle, the right wrist looks more like a WHOOP band than a smartwatch. The left wrist is harder to identify, but the case and band suggest a Coros-style GPS watch rather than a Garmin. The face appears very bright in the image, which makes it difficult to tell whether it is AMOLED or MIP.
Why would an elite runner wear a recovery band plus a GPS watch? There are several practical reasons:
- one device may be for official personal data
- one may be connected to a sponsor, coach, or phone workflow
- one may be used for post-race sync while the other records workout data
- one may simply be preferred for daily use
For SEO-friendly clarity: Kejelcha's right wrist appears to be a WHOOP band; the left wrist looks Coros-like, but the exact model is not confidently identifiable from the available photos.
Tigst Assefa: Garmin Forerunner 255 Clues
Tigst Assefa's watch is clearer in the close-up images. The round case, lug shape, bezel proportions, and button layout line up well with the Garmin Forerunner 255.
Here is the Forerunner 255 reference image:
The Forerunner 255 makes sense for elite racing. It is lighter and simpler than many premium outdoor watches, has physical buttons, and is built around training and racing instead of lifestyle extras. For a marathoner, that matters more than a giant screen or luxury case material.
What This Says About Garmin Running Watches
The watch list from London is a useful reality check.
You do not need the newest or most expensive GPS watch to train seriously. Sawe's apparent Forerunner 245 and Assefa's apparent Forerunner 255 are both practical, runner-first devices. They are not jewelry. They are not status pieces. They are tools.
For most runners, the important features are still straightforward:
- reliable GPS recording
- dependable heart-rate and external-sensor support
- buttons that work with sweat and race gloves
- enough battery for the race and warm-up
- clean post-run data in Garmin Connect, Coros, Apple Fitness, Strava, or your coaching platform
Everything else is secondary.
Should You Buy a Forerunner 245 or 255 in 2026?
If you are choosing today, the Forerunner 255 is the stronger pick for most runners because it is newer and has a more complete training feature set. The Forerunner 245 can still be a smart used-market choice if the price is low and battery health is good.
Choose a Forerunner 255-style watch if you want:
- a light marathon training watch
- physical buttons
- strong battery life for road running
- serious training metrics without a premium flagship price
Consider a newer Forerunner if you care about AMOLED, maps, newer sensors, or richer recovery guidance.
FAQ
Did Sabastian Sawe wear a Garmin at the 2026 London Marathon?
Based on the available race images, Sawe's watch looks very close to a Garmin Forerunner 245. This is a visual identification, not an official confirmation.
Did Tigst Assefa wear a Garmin Forerunner 255?
The close-up images strongly resemble a Garmin Forerunner 255, especially around the bezel, button layout, and case profile.
Did Yomif Kejelcha wear a WHOOP band?
His right wrist appears to show a WHOOP band. His left wrist appears to show a sports watch, likely Coros-style, but the exact model is not clear enough to confirm.
Do elite marathoners use the newest running watches?
Not always. Elite runners often prefer light, familiar, reliable devices. The 2026 London Marathon images suggest that even record breakers may race with older or mid-range GPS watches.
