Sabastian Sawe Sets Sights on Another Marathon World Record

Sabastian Sawe has already crossed a barrier that once looked beyond the sport, but the Kenyan marathon star is not stopping there.

The 31-year-old clocked 1:59:30 in London in April, becoming the first man to run a marathon under two hours. Rather than treating that performance as the end of a chase, Sawe believes it could be the start of something even faster.

Speaking to media, Sawe said he believes a time below 1:59 is possible if the conditions come together.

“I know it’s possible to run under 1:59,” Sawe said.

His reasoning is straightforward. Good weather, smart pacing and the right physical condition could create another opening for history. Sawe admitted he cannot put an exact number on how quickly he could eventually run, but he sees plenty of room for the event to move forward.

London success surprised Sawe

Sawe arrived in London hoping to retain his title. A sub-two-hour run was not even the target.

That changed during the final stages of the race.

“I was not expecting to run under two hours,” he said, recalling the moment he saw the time while approaching the finish. The reaction was one of surprise and relief, with the Kenyan describing himself as happy and grateful.

Now his focus has shifted.

Sawe hopes to return to London in 2027, while the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics have already entered his plans. He wants to produce what he called “something special” on the Olympic stage.

Key Detail	Sabastian Sawe
Nationality	Kenya
Age	31
London time	1:59:30
Milestone	First man under two hours
Future target	Sub-1:59
Olympic goal	Los Angeles 2028

Sawe reacts to Assefa injury

Sawe was also asked about Tigst Assefa's dramatic Berlin Marathon finish.

Assefa had been running on world-record pace until around the 35-kilometre mark before suffering an Achilles tendon rupture. Despite the serious injury, the Ethiopian continued and crossed the line first with the third-fastest women's marathon time and a course record.

Sawe said he was shocked by what happened.

He also backed Assefa to return to the record chase, pointing to her mentality and ability to push through difficult moments.

The women's record remains a complicated subject after Ruth Chepngetich's 2:09:56 from 2024. Chepngetich was later suspended for three years for doping, although the mark remains on the record books.

Sawe puts testing in spotlight

The Kenyan has also taken an unusual approach to the doping debate surrounding distance running.

Sawe voluntarily undergoes additional testing, averaging another test roughly every three days beyond the requirements of national and international bodies.

For him, it is about proving that major performances can be achieved cleanly.

“There was a time when there was more doubt than belief,” Sawe said.

He hopes his approach can also help improve Kenya's reputation as the country prepares to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, the first African city selected for the event.

For Sawe, the next challenge is simple enough to understand, even if running it will be anything but simple: go faster.

A marathon world record has already changed his career. Now he wants to see how far the clock can be pushed.