Kenya’s world record holder Sawe withdraws from Berlin Marathon

Sebastian Sawe, the world record holder who shattered the two-hour marathon barrier, has decided to withdraw from the upcoming Berlin Marathon due to injury, the 31-year-old Kenyan announced on Instagram. The Berlin race, scheduled for September 27, was Sawe's first race since April, when he achieved the remarkable feat of running a marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds to win the London Marathon.

The 31-year-old Kenyan, who had been eagerly anticipating making a significant mark in Berlin, expressed his disappointment in withdrawing from the event, stating that he is "forced to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon due to injury." The very flat course of Berlin has often been a favorite for potential record attempts. Sawe's world record of 2:02:16, set in Berlin in 2025, despite the challenging conditions, could now be at risk, as Ethiopian runner Yomif Kejelcha is set to compete in the Valencia Marathon on December 6.

Kejelcha, who finished second to Sawe in the London Marathon with a time of 2:02:28, recently broke the world half-marathon record with a time of 56 minutes and 51 seconds. Upon his triumphant return from London, Sawe was greeted with a hero's welcome in Kenya, where fans crowded the airport in Nairobi and the country's president presented him with cash and a car.