• ATHLETICS

• Frank Rotich 23 days ago

State honours Sawe after historic run in London Marathon

Kenya has turned a historic sporting moment into a symbol of national pride, with marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe receiving top state honours and multi-million rewards following his record-breaking feat in London.

The 31-year-old was officially received at State House, Nairobi, by President William Ruto on Thursday, in a ceremony that elevated his achievement from a personal milestone to a moment of national significance.

Sawe stunned the world on April 26 at the London Marathon after clocking an astonishing 1:59:30, becoming the first athlete in history to complete a full marathon in under two hours in an official race.

His run shattered the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023, placing Kenya once again at the centre of global athletics.

On arrival back home Wednesday night, Sawe was treated to a hero’s welcome at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, complete with a ceremonial water salute and cheers from fans, family and sports officials.

But it was Thursday’s State House reception that underscored the weight of his achievement. President Ruto described Sawe’s performance as a rare, once-in-a-generation moment, comparing it to historic human milestones such as the moon landing and the breaking of the four-minute mile.

“This is not just a sporting victory, but a defining moment in human endurance,” Ruto said, praising Sawe for inspiring the nation and reinforcing Kenya’s global dominance in long-distance running.

In recognition, the government awarded Sawe Sh8 million—Sh5 million for breaking the world record and Sh3 million for winning the race—under the national athletes’ reward scheme. He was also promised a brand-new car, alongside personalised number plates bearing his historic time “01 59 30.”

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting athletes, noting that such achievements should translate into meaningful careers and livelihoods.

In a symbolic gesture, Sawe presented the President with an autographed pair of running shoes he wore during the race, reflecting both pride and humility after rewriting history.

Speaking during the ceremony, Sawe dedicated his success to the country, saying his victory was not just personal but a collective triumph for Kenya.

As celebrations continue, Sawe’s sub-two-hour run now stands not only as a world record but as a powerful reminder of how sport can unite a nation and push the limits of human potential.