Sawe accorded heroic welcome after historic sub-two-hour marathon feat

Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Kenya after making history by becoming the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a competitive marathon.

The marathon sensation arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to jubilant scenes following his record-breaking run of 1:59:30 at the London Marathon, a feat that has sent shockwaves across the athletics world.

Family members, fans, sports officials and traditional dancers thronged the airport to celebrate the 31-year-old star, whose achievement has been hailed as one of the greatest moments in marathon history. His aircraft was welcomed with a ceremonial water cannon salute in honour of his extraordinary milestone.

Sawe eclipsed the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, further cementing Kenya’s rich legacy in long-distance running.

His feat also places him in a unique class, surpassing the famous sub-two-hour run by Eliud Kipchoge in Vienna in 2019, which was achieved under exhibition conditions and was not eligible for official ratification.

The celebrations later moved to State House Nairobi, where William Ruto hailed Sawe for inspiring the nation and redefining the limits of human endurance.

In recognition of the historic feat, President Ruto awarded the marathon star Sh8 million and a brand-new car, describing his triumph as a proud moment for Kenya and a reminder of the country’s unmatched dominance in global distance running.

Speaking after the reception, Sawe said the record was a dream come true and expressed confidence that the barrier could be pushed even lower, signaling his determination to continue raising the bar in marathon racing.

He also received the same heroic reception at Eldoret international airport,was received by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang , deputy governor Uasin Gishu Kapkea among other Athletics Kenya officials,family and friends.