Kenyan marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe has returned home to a hero’s welcome after setting a historic world record at the London Marathon, where he became the first athlete to complete the race in under two hours.
His arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport was marked with a water cannon salute, traditional dancers, and a ceremonial reception celebrating his achievement as a major milestone for Kenyan athletics.
Sawe, who clocked an astonishing time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, was greeted by family members, sports officials, and government representatives, all praising his record-breaking performance.
The athlete later met with President William Ruto at an official ceremony, where he was awarded $61,000 and a new vehicle in recognition of his achievement.
During the event, Ruto described Sawe’s performance as a landmark moment in global sports endurance and a source of national pride for Kenya.
Sawe also presented the president with a signed racing shoe used during the marathon, along with an autographed photograph capturing his record-breaking moment.
The runner expressed gratitude for the recognition and said he remains motivated to push his limits further, hinting at plans to attempt even faster times in future races.
Family members shared emotional reactions to his success, recalling his early passion for running and describing him as naturally gifted from childhood.
His father recounted watching the race with intense emotion, saying the family celebrated wildly upon witnessing his victory, while his mother remembered his childhood speed and early signs of athletic talent.
Sawe, who was introduced to competitive running through his uncle, an Olympian, has steadily risen in long-distance athletics, including a previous marathon win in Valencia in 2024.
Despite his achievements, he remains focused on improving further, stating that breaking records is not enough and that he intends to continue pushing his performance boundaries.
