Marathon Record Holder Sawe Targets New Milestone
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
BERLIN: Kenyan marathon runner Sabastian Sawe believes the sport could soon see another major breakthrough, with the world record holder confident that a marathon time below 1 hour and 59 minutes is achievable.
The 31-year-old made history in April by completing the London Marathon in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to officially break the two-hour mark in the event.
Speaking to AFP in Berlin, Sawe said another improvement would depend on several factors, including suitable weather, strong pacing and his physical condition.
He added that marathon times could continue to improve as the sport grows in popularity and athletes benefit from advances in technology and training.
Sawe Surprised by Record Run
Sawe admitted that he did not expect to break the two-hour barrier during his record-setting London performance.
His main target had been to defend his title, but he realised he was close to a historic time during the final stages of the race.
The Kenyan was due to compete in Berlin again after winning the 2025 edition, but a fractured leg ruled him out of this year’s race.
Sawe said injuries are part of an athlete’s career and that he had accepted the setback. He is hoping to return to London in 2027 and has also set his sights on making an impact at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
He said his experiences had taught him the importance of patience and proper recovery in maintaining performance.
Sawe Supports Assefa After Injury
Sawe also spoke about Ethiopian marathon star Tigst Assefa, who suffered a serious Achilles injury while competing in Berlin.
Assefa had been running at world-record pace until around the 35-kilometre mark before rupturing her Achilles tendon. Despite the injury, she managed to finish the race and recorded the third-fastest women’s marathon time along with a course record before collapsing at the finish.
Sawe said he was shocked by the incident and expressed confidence that Assefa could continue challenging for the world record once she recovers.
Kenyan Runner Promotes Anti-Doping Efforts
Sawe has also taken an active approach to anti-doping efforts, volunteering for additional testing beyond the requirements of national and international athletics authorities.
He said regular testing can help demonstrate that athletes are competing cleanly and can improve confidence in the sport.
His comments come as Kenya continues to face scrutiny over doping cases involving athletes. Sawe said he hoped his approach would contribute to a positive image for Kenyan athletics.
Nairobi was recently selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, becoming the first African city chosen to stage the global event.
Sawe described the selection as an important moment for Kenya and said he was proud that the country would host the championships.
