Sabastian Kimaru Sawe is a Kenyan long-distance runner who etched his name permanently into sporting history on April 26, 2026, when he became the first human being to officially run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive race.
Crossing the finish line at the TCS London Marathon in a jaw-dropping time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, Sawe obliterated the previous world record by over a minute, redefined the limits of human endurance, and confirmed himself as one of the greatest distance runners to have ever lived.
From a humble village in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a house without electricity, raised primarily by his grandmother, Sawe’s rise to global sporting immortality is one of the most compelling stories in modern athletics. He had only run four competitive marathons before his historic sub-two-hour run, winning all four of them.
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Sabastian Kimaru Sawe: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | Sabastian Kimaru Sawe |
| Age: | 31 years old |
| Nationality: | Kenyan |
| Occupation: | Professional Long-Distance Runner (Marathon & Half Marathon) |
| Spouse: | Married |
| Children: | 1 son |
| Net Worth: | $1.4 million USD (KSh 180 million) |
Early Life
Sabastian Kimaru Sawe was born on March 16, 1995, in Barsombe, a small village in Uasin Gishu County, located in Kenya’s celebrated Rift Valley Province. This region is widely considered the global cradle of long-distance running, the same high-altitude farmland that nurtured legends such as Eliud Kipchoge, the late Kelvin Kiptum, and Faith Kipyegon.
Sawe was born into a modest family. His father worked as a maize farmer, and the household had no electricity. Due to circumstances in the family, he was primarily raised by his grandmother, whom he affectionately called “Koko.” Koko instilled in young Sabastian the values of patience, perseverance, and humility, qualities that would later define not just his character, but his athletic career. He grew up in a deeply Kalenjin cultural environment that revered running as both a sport and a way of life.
Sabastian comes from an athletic family. His uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, was a national record holder in Uganda over 800 metres and an Olympic-level middle-distance runner. It was Abraham who first recognised Sabastian’s athletic potential, provided him with running shoes and training kits, and later arranged for him to join a professional training camp, a pivotal intervention in Sawe’s life.
Growing up, Sabastian was an active child but initially focused on shorter track distances, following in his uncle’s footsteps as a middle-distance runner. He ran over middle distances in his early career, and his transition to longer distances came almost entirely by accident, as his later career would reveal.
Education
Sabastian Sawe attended St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, one of Kenya’s most renowned athletics schools, located in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. The school has produced a number of elite Kenyan athletes and is famously situated in Iten town, a small town at altitude that is globally known as the “Home of Champions” due to the sheer number of world-class runners trained there.
It was during his time at St. Patrick’s that Sawe developed his athletic discipline and was embedded in a culture of running excellence. Beyond his secondary schooling, there is limited publicly available information about any tertiary education Sawe may have pursued, as he transitioned into professional athletics relatively early in his adult life.
Career
Early Athletic Years and Middle-Distance Running
Sabastian Sawe began his athletic career as a middle-distance runner, competing primarily in track events. His transition to longer road distances happened in an almost serendipitous fashion: in 2019, he arrived late to an athletics meet and found that only the 5,000 metres race was still available. He ran it, and the performance signalled what lay ahead. A man with that engine, coaches and scouts noted, was built for the road.
Around 2020, with guidance from his uncle Abraham Chepkirwok and former Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist Abel Mutai, Sawe joined the 2Running Club in Kapsabet, western Kenya, under the tutelage of Italian coach Claudio Berardelli. This move was transformational. Berardelli brought structure, recovery protocols, and professional support to Sawe’s training, things largely unavailable in informal training environments. It did not take long for Berardelli to identify Sawe as a future marathon great.
Breakthrough in Half Marathon (2022)
Sawe’s rise to prominence began in 2022 on the half marathon circuit. In January 2022, he finished his first half marathon in Seville in 59:02, despite initially starting the race merely as a pacemaker. He overtook the field and won. In March 2022, he set a course record at the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon in a time of 58:02, a non-record eligible course. He then won the 2022 Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon in 58:58.
In September 2022, at the prestigious Memorial Van Damme meet in Brussels, Sawe set a Kenyan national record in the one-hour run, covering 21,250 metres, tantalizingly close to the world record. This performance served as a loud announcement to the marathon world.
Cross Country and Road Success (2023)
In 2023, Sawe continued his climb across multiple disciplines. He finished seventh in the senior men’s race at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships, contributing to Kenya’s team gold medal. He claimed the World Half Marathon title in Riga, Latvia in October 2023, leading a Kenyan sweep of the podium. In December 2023, he won the 15 kilometres road race Montferland Run in the Netherlands with a time of 42:35.
Historic Marathon Debut (2024)
On December 1, 2024, Sabastian Sawe made his full marathon debut at the Valencia Marathon and won it in a world-leading time of 2:02:05, the second-fastest marathon debut in history, just 12 seconds behind the late Kelvin Kiptum’s debut on the same course in 2022. Almost overnight, Sawe graduated from promising half-marathoner to the foremost threat to the marathon world record.
In September 2024, Sawe had also won the Copenhagen Half Marathon in a personal best of 58:05.
Dominating World Marathon Majors (2025)
On April 27, 2025, Sawe won the London Marathon in 2:02:27, defeating Jacob Kiplimo by over a minute in a dominant performance. He followed this up in September 2025 with victory at the Berlin Marathon, finishing in 2:02:16 and defeating the field by nearly four minutes. These results made him the reigning champion of two of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors within a single year.
It was during the Berlin build-up that Sawe and his team made an unprecedented proactive anti-doping decision. In a sport clouded by Kenyan doping scandals, and with Sawe’s own coach Claudio Berardelli having previously been linked to other sidelined athletes, Sawe voluntarily submitted to 25 unannounced out-of-competition drug tests from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Adidas reportedly paid $25,000 to facilitate the testing. Sawe passed all 25 tests, establishing one of the most thoroughly documented clean records in marathon history.
The Sub-Two-Hour Marathon (2026) – Making History
April 26, 2026. A cool, damp morning in London. In a race that had 800,000 spectators lining the streets, Sabastian Sawe stood on the start line of the TCS London Marathon with a chance to accomplish what many thought was a human impossibility.
Running in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a super shoe weighing just 97 grams, Sawe ran the race of his life. He was pushed hard by Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha, who was making his marathon debut, through the latter stages of the race. Rather than buckle, Sawe used the competition as fuel. Between the 30 and 35-kilometre mark, he ran a 5km split of 13:54, only 1:05 off the all-time men’s road 5km record, despite having already run 30 kilometres and facing seven more.
Sawe crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, becoming the first person in history to run an officially sanctioned marathon in under two hours. He shattered Kelvin Kiptum’s previous world record of 2:00:35 by 65 seconds. Kejelcha finished second in 1:59:41, also sub-two-hours, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo took third in 2:00:28, breaking the old record himself. Three men ran sub-2:01 in a single race.
The achievement drew global tributes. Eliud Kipchoge, whose 2019 INEOS 1:59 Challenge run of 1:59:40 was never ratified as a world record due to controlled conditions, congratulated Sawe warmly. Former women’s world record holder Paula Radcliffe said the goalposts of marathon running had been permanently moved. Kenyan President William Ruto celebrated the achievement nationally. Sawe himself said, “I saw the time, and I was so excited.”
In preparation for the historic run, Sawe averaged 200 km of training per week over six weeks, peaking at 241 km in a single week. His pre-race breakfast was characteristically humble: two pieces of bread, honey, and hot tea.
Awards & Nominations
- World Marathon Record Holder – 1:59:30, 2026 TCS London Marathon (first sub-2-hour marathon in a competitive race)
- 2026 London Marathon Champion – First place, elite men’s race
- 2025 Berlin Marathon Champion – First place, elite men’s race (2:02:16)
- 2025 London Marathon Champion – First place, elite men’s race (2:02:27)
- 2024 Valencia Marathon Champion – First place, marathon debut (2:02:05), second-fastest marathon debut in history
- 2023 World Half Marathon Champion – Riga, Latvia (led Kenyan sweep)
- Kenyan National Record – One Hour Run – 21,250 metres, Brussels Memorial Van Damme, 2022
- 2023 World Cross Country Championships – Contributed to Kenya’s team gold medal (finished 7th individually)
- Copenhagen Half Marathon Champion – 2024 (58:05 PB)
Social Media
Sabastian Sawe maintains a relatively private public profile compared to many elite athletes of his stature. His social media presence is not extensively documented, consistent with his reserved personality and focus on training over self-promotion. However, following his historic sub-two-hour marathon in April 2026, his online following has grown exponentially across all platforms. He can be found on:
- Instagram: @sabastian_sawe, growing following post-world record; posts related to race updates and training life in Kapsabet
- X (Twitter): @SabastianSawe, active during major race periods with updates and reactions
- Facebook: Sabastian Sawe, official fan and athlete page with growing engagement
World Athletics also maintains an official profile for Sawe at worldathletics.org, where his full competitive results and personal bests are documented.
Personal Life
Sabastian Sawe is a married man and has one son. He has kept his family life largely out of the spotlight, and the names of his wife and son have not been publicly disclosed. This privacy-first approach is in keeping with his quiet, focused personality.
Sawe is known to be deeply devoted to his late grandmother, Koko, who raised him and was a central figure in his life. In an emotionally charged early race, the Seville Half Marathon in January 2022, Sawe ran while “crying inside,” according to sources close to him, because his beloved grandmother was on the verge of death. He broke the course record and won. He then flew home immediately to attend her funeral. This story has been widely shared as a testament to his emotional depth and resilience.
Sawe is of Kalenjin ethnicity, the ethnic group from which virtually all of Kenya’s greatest distance runners have emerged. He trains at the 2Running Club in Kapsabet, under Italian coach Claudio Berardelli. He is a Christian by faith.
In terms of physical profile, World Athletics does not publish detailed biometric data for Sawe, and his height and weight have not been officially disclosed in any public forum.
Controversies
Sawe’s career has not been without scrutiny. In a sport where Kenyan distance running has been haunted by numerous doping violations, Sawe faced implicit questions simply by being a new Kenyan star running very fast times. The issue was compounded by the fact that his coach, Claudio Berardelli, had previously been associated with athletes who faced doping sanctions.
Sawe tackled this head-on by proactively requesting and completing 25 unannounced anti-doping tests from the AIU in the build-up to the 2025 Berlin Marathon. He passed every single one. His transparency in this regard earned widespread praise from athletics commentators, governing bodies, and fellow athletes. Additionally, some observers debated whether the unique race dynamics of the 2026 London Marathon, particularly the depth of field and pacing strategy, contributed significantly to his record. There was, however, no suggestion of any rule violation; the result was achieved entirely under official competitive marathon conditions.
Net Worth
Sabastian Sawe’s estimated net worth as of 2026 is approximately $1.4 million USD (KSh 180 million), a figure that has surged dramatically following his historic 2026 London Marathon victory. His wealth derives from several key income streams:
- Prize Money: At the 2026 London Marathon alone, Sawe earned over $355,000 (£263,000) in prize money and performance bonuses. This included a $55,000 winner’s prize, $125,000 for breaking the world record, $25,000 for breaking the course record, and a share of the $150,000 bonus pool for sub-2:02 finishers.
- Adidas Sponsorship: Sawe is a sponsored athlete of Adidas, whose brand benefited enormously from his world record. Reports indicate Adidas contractual bonuses could amount to $1 million or more, potentially tripling his race-day earnings.
- Endorsements: Following his sub-two-hour achievement, Sawe’s commercial marketability has skyrocketed, with anticipated partnerships in sports nutrition, lifestyle brands, and global sportswear beyond his existing Adidas deal.
- Prior Race Winnings: Victory purses from the 2024 Valencia Marathon, 2025 London Marathon, 2025 Berlin Marathon, 2023 World Half Marathon Championships, and other road races form the bedrock of his career earnings.
Sawe continues to train and race at the elite level, and with the status of being the only man in history to have officially run a sub-two-hour marathon, his earning potential is expected to grow substantially in the years ahead.
Race Results / Athletic Record
| Year | Event | Time / Result | Notes |
| 2022 | Seville Half Marathon | 59:02 | First half marathon; started as pacemaker, won outright |
| 2022 | Rome-Ostia Half Marathon | 58:02 | Course record (non-record eligible course) |
| 2022 | Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon | 58:58 | Race win |
| 2022 | Memorial Van Damme – One Hour Run | 21,250 m | Kenyan national record; near world record |
| 2023 | World Cross Country Championships | 7th (individual) | Part of Kenya’s team gold medal |
| 2023 | World Half Marathon Championships, Riga | 1st | Led Kenyan sweep of the podium |
| 2023 | Montferland Run (15km), Netherlands | 42:35 | Race win |
| 2024 | Copenhagen Half Marathon | 58:05 | Personal best; race win |
| 2024 | Valencia Marathon (Debut) | 2:02:05 | Race win; second-fastest marathon debut in history |
| 2025 | London Marathon | 2:02:27 | Race win; World Marathon Major |
| 2025 | Berlin Marathon | 2:02:16 | Race win; 25 anti-doping tests passed in build-up |
| 2026 | London Marathon | 1:59:30 | World Record; First sub-2-hour marathon in history |
FAQs
Who is Sabastian Sawe?
Sabastian Kimaru Sawe is a Kenyan professional long-distance runner and the current marathon world record holder. He became the first person in history to run an officially sanctioned marathon in under two hours at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, finishing in 1:59:30.
When was Sabastian Sawe born?
Sabastian Sawe was born on March 16, 1995, in Barsombe village, Uasin Gishu County, in Kenya’s Rift Valley Province.
What is Sabastian Sawe’s world record time?
Sawe’s marathon world record is 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds (1:59:30), set at the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26, 2026.
Is Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon an official world record?
Yes. Unlike Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 run at the 2019 INEOS 1:59 Challenge, which was not ratified because it was run under controlled, non-competitive conditions, Sawe’s run was achieved in a fully sanctioned World Marathon Major race with a standard competitive field, making it an official world record recognized by World Athletics.
Who trained Sabastian Sawe?
Sawe is coached by Italian trainer Claudio Berardelli at the 2Running Club in Kapsabet, western Kenya. He was guided toward the club by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, and former Olympic steeplechase bronze medallist Abel Mutai.
What is Sabastian Sawe’s net worth?
As of 2026, Sabastian Sawe’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1.4 million USD (KSh 180 million), primarily from race winnings, his Adidas sponsorship deal, and performance bonuses.
Is Sabastian Sawe married?
Yes, Sabastian Sawe is married and has one son. He has kept the details of his family life private.
What school did Sabastian Sawe attend?
Sabastian Sawe attended St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, Kenya, one of the country’s most celebrated athletics high schools.
How many marathons has Sabastian Sawe run?
As of April 2026, Sawe had competed in four elite marathons: the 2024 Valencia Marathon, the 2025 London Marathon, the 2025 Berlin Marathon, and the 2026 London Marathon. He won all four.
What shoes did Sabastian Sawe wear for his world record?
Sawe wore the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3, a revolutionary super shoe weighing just 97 grams (3.4 oz), the lightest racing shoe Adidas has ever produced, for his world record run.
Conclusion
Sabastian Kimaru Sawe is more than a record breaker, he is a symbol of what is possible when raw talent, disciplined coaching, and relentless hard work converge. Born into poverty in a Kenyan village with no electricity, raised by his grandmother, and initially lost in the shuffle of Kenya’s deep athletic talent pool, Sawe’s journey to becoming the first man in history to officially run a marathon in under two hours is one of the greatest sporting stories ever told.
At just 31 years old, with only four competitive marathons under his belt and all four won, the trajectory of Sawe’s career is almost impossible to fully predict. What is certain is that April 26, 2026 will forever be remembered as the day a boy from Barsombe rewrote the limits of human achievement, and did it in a pair of 97-gram shoes, fuelled by bread, honey, and tea.
The goalposts, as Paula Radcliffe said, have been moved. And Sabastian Sawe is the man who moved them.
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