Sabastian Sawe pulls out of Berlin Marathon
By Joel Masibo, August 27, 2026Kenyan marathon star Sabastian Sawe will not return to Berlin next month after an injury forced him to withdraw from the 2026 Berlin Marathon. The BMW Berlin-Marathon 2026 takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The reigning champion had been expected to defend his title in Germany after producing a landmark performance in London earlier this year. Sawe clocked 1:59:30 in April, becoming the first athlete to run under two hours in a marathon held under standard competition conditions.
The nature of Sawe’s injury and the extent of his current fitness concerns have not been disclosed. Berlin Marathon race director Mark Milde expressed disappointment at the Kenyan’s absence while wishing him a quick recovery.
“We would have very much liked to see him back in Berlin,” Milde said in a statement. “All the more, we regret that he will not be able to compete this year. We wish him all the best for his recovery and hope to welcome him back to Berlin soon.”
Sawe’s extraordinary London run came seven years after compatriot Eliud Kipchoge first broke the two-hour barrier during a specially organised INEOS and Nike event that was not conducted under standard race conditions.
Following his historic London performance, Sawe had indicated that he believed there was still room for improvement.
“Anything is possible, it’s a matter of time,” he told The Athletic the day after his London triumph when discussing the possibility of going faster later in the year.
The Kenyan also credited his training routine and the quality of athletes around him for helping him reach the two-hour mark.
“My plan is to keep training. I kept to my (training) programme well,” the Kenyan said, while highlighting the presence of several “strong guys” in his training group. Among them are fellow major marathon winner Benson Kipruto and Amos Kipruto, who finished fourth in London after recording 2:01:39.
Sawe’s withdrawal also ends his hopes of matching his remarkable 2025 campaign, when he claimed victories at both the London and Berlin marathons.
The 31-year-old has so far maintained a flawless record in his four major-marathon appearances, winning every one of them.
His Berlin triumph last year offered an early indication of his ability to challenge the marathon world record. Despite warm conditions, Sawe produced a 2:02:16 performance and crossed the finish line approximately four minutes ahead of the rest of the field.
Berlin is generally regarded as a faster marathon course than London because of its flatter route and usually favourable racing conditions.
Sawe’s decision to withdraw comes exactly four weeks before this year’s Berlin Marathon, ruling him out of the opportunity to become only the third Kenyan man since 2006 to win the race in successive years.
Patrick Musyoki achieved back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2011, while Kipchoge won the German race four times between 2017 and 2023.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa is among the biggest names in the women’s race. She strengthened her position as one of the leading marathoners in the world by taking nine seconds off her own women’s-only world record in London.
Assefa previously set the Berlin Marathon world record in 2023, running 2:11:53 with male pacemakers. That mark now ranks third on the all-time list, and the Ethiopian enters this year’s race as a three-time major marathon champion.