Kenyan world-record holder Sabastian Sawe pulls out of Berlin Marathon through injury
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Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe crossing the line to win the Berlin Marathon in Germany on Sept 21, 2025. He holds the world record of 1hr 59min 30sec set in London in April 2026.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Kenyan world-record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the Berlin Marathon on Sept 27 due to injury, disappointing fans and organisers.
- He became the first man to run a competitive marathon under two hours with a 1hr 59min 30sec time at the London Marathon in April.
- The women's race remains highly competitive, featuring Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who recently set a new women-only world record in London.
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Defending champion Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the Sept 27 Berlin Marathon with a “heavy heart” due to injury, the organisers said on Aug 27.
The 31-year-old Kenyan had been expected to return to the German capital after a landmark performance at the London Marathon in April, where he became the first man to run a competitive marathon in under two hours with a time of 1hr 59min 30sec.
Sawe finished the Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16 in 2025, clocking the world leading time of the year despite temperatures reaching up to 25 deg C.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you I am forced to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon due to an injury,” he said in a statement, without specifying the nature of the injury.
“I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin and crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate.
“I want to thank everyone who continues to support me and I wish all the runners taking part a great race.”
The women's field for the race remains strong and includes Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who took nine seconds off her own women’s-only world record in London. REUTERS
