Kenyan Marathon runner Sabastian Sawe has won the Berlin Marathon.
Sawe finished the Berlin Marathon in 2:02:15, one of the fastest times ever recorded on the course.
Further, the long-distance runner reached the halfway mark at world record pace and delivered an exceptional performance.
Although he has narrowly missed the world record, he has marked his spot among the world’s elite marathoners.
Earlier, the 29-year-old pledged to carry the torch passed on from Eliud Kipchoge and Kelvin Kiptum.
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Sabastian Sawe’s Journey to World Champion
Sabastian Sawe’s journey to marathon running began originally as an 800m and 1,500m runner.
However, at the 2022 Seville Half Marathon, he was brought in as a pacer, and he found himself leading after just seven kilometres.
He went on to win the race and set a new course record, despite never having competed beyond 5000m before.
Later, he made his marathon debut in Valencia in 2024, winning in an impressive 2:02:05, the fifth-fastest time in history.
Sawe then claimed victory again at the London Marathon in April, putting Eliud Kipchoge’s 2022 world record of 2:01:09 firmly within reach.
Sawe’s uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, still holds Kenya’s national 800-metre record, and he is one of Sawe’s biggest inspirations.
“He inspired me, and to this day I believe I run because of him,” Sawe said during an interview with France 24.
He also credits his late grandmother, Esther, fondly known as Koko, who raised him and passed away in 2022 while he was competing in Seville. “
She was very close to me, and we talked a lot. Because of her, I came this far, I think of her often,” he added.
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Rosemary Wanjiru Wins 2025 Berlin Marathon
At the same time, Rosemary Wanjiru has won the marathon under the women’s category, marking the first time a Kenyan has won the race in seven years.
Wanjiru lined up against Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58) and Mestawut Fikir (2:18:48), as well as Norway’s Karoline Grovdal, who attempts her second marathon after not finishing in Hamburg earlier this year.
Rosemary Wanjiru won the Tokyo Marathon in 2023 and set her personal best of 2:16:14 when finishing second in the Japanese capital the following year.
How Much will Wanjiru and Sawe take Home?
The 2025 Berlin Marathon offered a prize of €30,000 (Ksh4.56 million) for the men’s winner, with an additional €30,000 bonus for the first athlete to finish under 2:02:30.
Sabastian Sawe secured both payouts after completing the 42-kilometre race in 2:02:15, the world’s best time so far in 2025.
Runners were also eligible for a further €110,000 (Ksh17.1 million) if they broke the world record of 2:00:35, set by Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Sawe narrowly missed that mark but, with combined earnings, will still pocket at least Ksh9 million.
On the women’s side, Rosemary Monica Wanjiru claimed victory and the €30,000 (Ksh4.6 million) winner’s prize.
However, she missed out on the time bonus, which required finishing in under 2:16:00.
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