Kenyan marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe is poised to be the standout athlete at the 2025 Berlin Marathon, set for September 21. At 30, Sawe is on a blistering trajectory, having delivered two of the fastest debut marathons in history. With a personal best of 2:02:05 set in Valencia and a London Marathon victory in 2:02:27, Sawe now returns to Berlin a city he knows well from his 2023 Generali Berlin Half Marathon win.
Ranked fifth on the world all-time list, Sawe enters Berlin not only as a major contender but as a potential history-maker. The Berlin Marathon, celebrated for its flat, fast course and record-breaking pedigree, presents the perfect stage for a runner in his form. Since 1998, 13 world records have been shattered in Berlin, and with Sawe’s momentum, whispers of a new mark are growing louder.
The field in Berlin is stacked with elite talent. Ethiopia’s defending champion Milkesa Mengesha returns after clocking a personal best of 2:03:17 in his 2024 win. Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, whose best is 2:03:00, also returns to the spotlight after bouncing back with a 2:05:20 performance earlier this year. Yet, none match Sawe’s upward curve in recent races or the sheer dominance he has shown across distances.
Beyond the marathon, Sawe also holds the title of World Half Marathon Champion, having won gold in Riga in 2023. His versatility across distances, combined with tactical intelligence and raw speed, sets him apart from the field.
Berlin’s low altitude, smooth surface, and ideal pacing conditions make it the perfect environment for a world record attempt. With every factor aligning, Sawe is tipped not just to win but to potentially make history.
Should he succeed, Sawe would become the next great Kenyan marathon icon, adding his name to the sport’s most exclusive list. All eyes will be on Berlin this September, as he aims for glory on the world’s fastest marathon course.
