Sabastian Sawe / FILE
After a dominant 2025 campaign, Berlin Marathon champion Sebastian Sawe is eyeing more accolades as he gears up for an explosive 2026 season.
This year, Sawe's form on the roads has been nothing short of sensational, going unbeaten in the two marathon races he has featured in, dipping under the 2:03 barrier on both occasions.
On April 27, Sawe delivered a masterclass in the British capital, cutting the tape in 2:02:27 to claim his maiden London Marathon title.
He finished ahead of Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who clocked 2:03:37, and compatriot Alexander Munyao, who rounded off the podium in 2:04:20.
His scorching form carried seamlessly into the Berlin Marathon on September 21, where he stormed to victory in 2:02:16, leaving Japan’s Akira Akasaki (2:06:15) and Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele (2:06:57) trailing in second and third, respectively.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Kenyan ace has already begun plotting his next move, revealing that his first marathon appearance of the year is likely to come between March and May.
“I’ll do a marathon in the spring, but we can’t announce which one just yet,” Sawe told World Athletics.
Having now fully embraced the 42km distance, Sawe confirmed that he will not feature at the 2026 World Road Running Championships.
“I’m now a full marathon runner. I’ve moved on from the half-marathon, and I won’t be defending my title at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen next year,” he added.
At the previous edition of the championships in Riga in 2023, he claimed the men’s half-marathon title in a course record time of 59:10, spearheading a Kenyan podium sweep alongside Daniel Ebenyo (59:14) and Samwel Mailu (59:19).
It was that sustained excellence on the roads this year that culminated in Sawe being crowned the 2025 World Athletics Male 'Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year'.
“It means a lot to me. It shows that the work I’ve put in this year has been recognised, and I really appreciate that,” he said.
Reflecting on his dominant 2025 campaign, Sawe admitted that conquering both London and Berlin in the same season marked a defining milestone in his career.
“I’m very proud to have won two big marathons (London and Berlin). Winning those races in one season is something special,” Sawe noted.
“When you line up at those big marathons knowing you have a chance to win, it’s a great feeling. It makes you feel appreciated and confirms that the hard work has paid off.”
Sawe also traced his steady rise on the roads, highlighting the patience and persistence that shaped his journey into one of Kenya’s most feared marathon runners.
“I started running when I was in primary school. I continued through secondary school, although I wasn’t very successful at first.
“Over time, I began training more seriously, joined a training camp, and eventually got sponsorship, which helped me focus fully on athletics. It took patience and persistence,” he said.
Sawe made his marathon debut in Valencia last year, where he produced the second-fastest debut time in history, stopping the clock in 2:02:05, to claim victory.
Before stepping up to the full marathon, Sawe had been a dominant force over the half-marathon distance, claiming victories in Copenhagen (58:05) and Prague (58:24) in 2024, Manama in 2022 (58:58), and Berlin in 2023 (59:00).
He also credited his training base and partners for sharpening his competitive edge. “I train in Kapsabet, Nandi County. It’s a rural area at an altitude, and it’s a good place for marathon preparation.
“I train with a strong group of athletes, and the environment is very good for long-distance running. Training in a strong team pushes you,” he explained.
Sawe is determined to keep raising the bar as he looks to extend his dominance on the world stage.
“When everyone is working hard, it motivates you to keep improving because you’re always challenging each other. My focus is on having a good training environment and working hard. Consistency is important,” he added.
Beyond medals and titles, Sawe hopes his journey will serve as inspiration for the next generation of runners.
“I hope my journey shows young runners that anything is possible. I used to watch other athletes and believe that one day I could follow the same path. “Learning from those who have already succeeded helps you understand the sport better and improve.”
