Kenya’s top marathon runner Sabastian Sawe has opted to compete in the Berlin Marathon this September instead of representing his country at the World Championships in Tokyo. Sawe, who made headlines with victories in the Valencia Marathon in December 2024 and the London Marathon in April 2025, was widely expected to lead the Kenyan men’s team in Tokyo. However, with the men’s marathon in Tokyo set for September 15—just six days before Berlin—he’s chosen to focus on the latter.
“I am preparing for Berlin,” Sawe confirmed, signaling his clear priority. His rapid ascent in the marathon scene has drawn comparisons to the late Kelvin Kiptum, the world record holder who tragically died in a road accident in early 2024. Much like Kiptum, Sawe burst onto the scene with a stunning debut win in Valencia, clocking a world-leading 2:02:05, and then followed it up with another dominant run in London, finishing in 2:02:27.
Berlin’s famously flat and fast course has seen 13 men’s world records set over the years, making it a magnet for elite runners chasing historic times. While Sawe is aiming for a strong performance in his Berlin debut, he was quick to downplay any talk of a new world record. “It’s too early to talk about a world record. It takes time and clear planning to achieve it,” he said.
The current marathon world record of 2:00:35 was set by Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023, breaking the previous mark held by Eliud Kipchoge, who has won Berlin five times, including a 2:01:09 finish in 2022.
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