President William Ruto has led the nation in hailing Sabastian Sawe’s extraordinary feat at the London marathon, where he became only the first man in history to break the two hour barrier.
On Sunday, Sawe delivered a jaw-dropping performance on the streets of London to claim victory in 1:59:30, the first man on the planet to dip under two hours.
Sawe’s time eclipsed the previous men’s standard of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon 2023.
In London, Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha settled for second in a blistering 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo clocked 2:00:28 to round off a historic podium sweep.
Ruto led the nation in congratulating Sawe for a remarkable display in London.
“We celebrate you, Sabastian Sawe, for a performance of rare brilliance at the London Marathon.”
”You have not only claimed a historic victory; you have redrawn the limits of human endurance, smashing the world record and breaking the two-hour barrier with extraordinary resolve,” Ruto said.
He described the victory as a defining moment for Kenyan athletics.
“This is more than a win; it is a defining moment. Your triumph places you firmly among the greats of global athletics and reaffirms Kenya as an enduring force at the pinnacle of distance running.”
Elsewhere, in the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa shattered her own women’s-only world record, cruising to 2:15:41 to dip below the 2:15:50 mark she set on the same course last year.
Kenya’s Hellen Obiri clocked an impressive 2:15:53 on her London debut to finish second, with Joyciline Jepkosgei completing the podium in 2:15:55.
Ruto also lauded Obiri and Jepkosgei for their podium finishes, praising their discipline and competitive edge on the world stage.
”We also commend Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei for their remarkable second and third-place finishes in the women’s race. Your discipline and competitive fire continue to define the standard of Kenyan excellence on the world stage.”
Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya noted that Sawe’s performance has redefined the limits of human endurance.
“Sawe’s achievement has not only redefined the limits of human performance but also cements his place among the greats in marathon history.”
”Your success is a proud moment for athletics and an inspiration to aspiring runners worldwide,” he said.
“Kenya stands tall and proud, a reminder to the world that long-distance running remains our pride and strength.”