Nudge

← Nudge24 Aug · 24 min

The mental tricks used to break the 2-hour marathon

The mental tricks used to break the 2-hour marathon24 Aug24 min

On April 26th, 2026, Sebastian Sawe did what many thought was impossible. 

Running the marathon in under two hours.

Today on Nudge, I explain the psychological tricks Sawe may have used to break the record. 

---

Become an FSB member: https://get.fsb.org.uk/nudge/

Unlock the Nudge Vaults: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/vaults

Join 12,199 readers of the Nudge Newsletter: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/mailing-list

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/ 

Buy Alex’s book Endure: https://amzn.to/3TdJv7P 

--- 

Today’s sources: 

Blanchfield, A. W., Hardy, J., & Marcora, S. M. (2014). Non-conscious visual cues related to affect and action alter perception of effort and endurance performance. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, Article 967.