Sabastian Saweina past race/ FILELondon Marathon champion Sebastian Sawe will be chasing his third career marathon victory when he takes to the streets of Berlin on September 21, headlining the men's elite field.
Race organisers confirmed Sawe’s inclusion on Tuesday, lauding his affinity for Berlin’s flat, record-friendly course. "We are very pleased that Sebastian Sawe appreciates the BMW Berlin Marathon and its course. He already proved how well he performs on the capital's asphalt with his impressive victory at the 2023 Generali Berlin Half Marathon."
At the Generali Berlin Half Marathon, Sawe stormed to a 59:00 finish to lead a Kenyan podium sweep with Alex Kibet (59:11) and Bravin Kiprop (59:22) in second and third place. With the 29-year-old on board, organisers have tipped this year's race to be exciting.
"One thing is certain, the race will be very exciting," the organisers said in a statement. Sawe has become one of the most electrifying names in the 42km circuit since making his full Marathon debut at the December 2024 Valencia Marathon.
At the Valencia race, Sawe stopped the clock in 2:02:05 to claim victory in a then-world-leading time and the fifth fastest Marathon debut in history. In that race, he led Deresa Geleta of Ethiopia (2:02:38) and compatriot Daniel Mateiko (2:04:24).
In his second career marathon, Sawe stunned a deep elite field at the 2025 London Marathon, powering to a personal best of 2:02:27. He held off Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo (2:03:37) and compatriot Alexander Munyao (2:04:20) to claim the prestigious title.
Sawe said the London win would catapult him to even more success over 42km in future. "This gives me hope that further success in marathons will come," Sawe said post-race.
With two sub-2:03 performances already in the bag, the Kenyan is fast emerging as a prime candidate to challenge the late Kelvin Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35, set on the same Berlin course in 2023.
But Sawe remains measured in his ambition. “I can’t say that I am preparing for the world record, but with time it will come. Everything comes at its right time,” he added. Standing in his way of a third full Marathon victory is the defending champion, Milkesa Mengesha of Ethiopia.
Mengesha claimed the crown last year after stopping the clock in 2:03:17. Adding more depth to the fray is Tanzania's Marathon record holder, Gabriel Geay. In the women’s race, 2023 Tokyo Marathon champion Rosemary Wanjiru will lead Kenya’s charge.
Wanjiru returns to Berlin, where she made her marathon debut in 2022, clocking 2:18:00 to finish second behind Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, who set the then-course record of 2:15:37. She will face off against the 2024 Barcelona Marathon champion, Degitu Azimeraw and compatriot Mestawut Fikir.
