A car and Ksh8M! Ruto awards marathon record breaker Sabastian Sawe
By Joel Masibo, April 30, 2026Kenya’s long-distance sensation, Sabastian Sawe, has not only rewritten the record books but is now reaping national recognition following his groundbreaking feat at the London Marathon 2026, shortly after jetting back into the country on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Sawe was feted at the State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, April 29, 2026, as President William Ruto awarded him Ksh8 million and made an additional pledge of a car of his choice, complete with a personalised number plate inspired by his astonishing finishing time, an honour befitting one of the greatest performances in athletics history.
“We are here to celebrate a historic achievement of what a human being can achieve. Congratulations to you and your teammates. I am sure they pushed you,” he said.
“Your return to London and set a new record confirms one enduring truth, you were destined for greatness.”
In return, Sawe gifted President Ruto with the shoes he wore when he broke the world record.
Changing marathon running
Sawe stunned the world on Sunday, April 26, 2026, when he became the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours. He crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, smashing the previous world record by 65 seconds.
This landmark achievement elevated him into a new realm of sporting greatness, surpassing the long-standing barrier that had eluded elite runners for decades. The feat also eclipsed the previous record set by the late Kelvin Kiptum and went beyond even the unofficial sub-two-hour attempt by Eliud Kipchoge.
Humble beginnings
Born on March 16, 1995, in Barsombe, Uasin Gishu County, Sawe’s journey to the top is one of resilience and determination. Raised in a modest rural setting without electricity and largely brought up by his grandmother, he developed his running talent in Kenya’s Rift Valley, a region famed for producing world-class athletes.
He announced himself on the global stage with victory at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, clocking 2:02:05, before dominating major races in 2025, including wins in London and Berlin.
By 2026, Sawe had firmly established himself as the world’s top marathoner, culminating in his historic London triumph. Sawe’s achievement has been widely celebrated across Kenya, with leaders, athletes, and fans hailing his run as a defining moment for the country’s sporting legacy. His record-breaking performance has not only brought pride to the nation but also reaffirmed Kenya’s dominance in long-distance running.