Kenya’s leading marathon runner, Sabastian Sawe, has announced he will compete in the Berlin Marathon this September, opting out of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
This decision shifts Kenya’s marathon focus, as Sawe was expected to spearhead their challenge in Tokyo.
Sawe, who won marathons in Valencia (December 2024) and London (April 2025), has seen a rapid ascent, drawing comparisons to the late Kelvin Kiptum.
The men’s marathon in Tokyo is just six days before Berlin, likely influencing Sawe’s choice.
“I am preparing for Berlin,” Sawe stated. He won his debut Valencia race with a world-leading 2:02:05, following up with a dominant 2:02:27 victory in London.
The Berlin course is known as the world’s fastest, accounting for 13 men’s world records. Sawe anticipates a fast time but downplayed a world record attempt, saying, “It’s too early to talk about a world record.
It takes time and clear planning.” Kiptum holds the current world record of 2:00:35, set in Chicago in October 2023, surpassing fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge’s mark.
While his absence from Tokyo will be noted, Sawe’s focus on Berlin signals his ambition to further cement his legacy on the sport’s fastest stage.
