Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome in Kenya after becoming the first athlete to run a sub-two hour marathon in race conditions in London. President William Ruto called it a defining moment in human endurance.
NAIROBI: Marathon world record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on his return to Kenya and was praised by President William Ruto on Thursday after his landmark run in London.
Sawe made history on Sunday in London by becoming the first athlete to complete a marathon in under two hours in race conditions. He finished in 1hr 59min 30sec after a close contest with Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who also ran under the two-hour mark.
At State House in Nairobi, President Ruto described the achievement as a major milestone in sport and human endurance. In his speech, he said it was “a defining moment in the story of human endurance”. He likened the feat to some of the most significant breakthroughs in modern history, including Roger Bannister’s first sub-four-minute mile in 1954 and even the moon landing.
Ruto said, “Future generations will look back on 26 April, 2026, as the day a man broke through a physical and psychological barrier long thought insurmountable; and the name forever attached to that moment will be Sabastian Sawe.”
Sawe arrived late Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where large crowds gathered to welcome him. He was surrounded by supporters on arrival and addressed those who had come to celebrate his success.
He told the crowd, “It is such a beautiful day. I’m glad you have joined me in celebrating, and that you have shown a spirit I never expected could be like this. I’m very grateful.” He added, “I didn’t do it just for myself, I did it for all of us. And I would like us all to enjoy it and for it to stand as a record for all of us.”
Kenya’s distance running legacy and scrutiny over doping
Kenya has long been a dominant force in long-distance running, and elite runners hold celebrity status in the country. At the same time, pressure to reach the top level has contributed to a serious doping problem in Kenyan athletics.
Among those later banned are two former Kenyan winners of the men’s London Marathon: Wilson Kipsang, who won in 2012 and 2014, and Daniel Wanjiru, the 2017 champion.
Against that backdrop, Sawe has taken additional steps to address possible doubts over his own performances. Before last year’s Berlin race, he voluntarily underwent extra drug testing through the Athletics Integrity Unit and paid $50,000 to be tested 25 times over the year.
“I didn’t do it just for myself, I did it for all of us. And I would like us all to enjoy it and for it to stand as a record for all of us,” Sawe said.
His return and reception in Nairobi underscored the significance of the London performance for Kenya, where distance running achievements are followed closely and celebrated nationally.
