Sabastian Sawe has achieved sporting immortality, becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive race. He crossed the finish line in London with a time of 1:59:30, obliterating the previous world record by 65 seconds.
Sawe, 31, expressed surprise at his own performance, stating his primary focus was on retaining his title. He believes he can run even faster, suggesting times of 1:58 are possible.
The accomplishment, once considered impossible under World Athletics conditions, has drawn widespread praise. London Marathon race director Hugh Brasher called it an "unbelievable day for sport," while former women's world record holder Paula Radcliffe acknowledged witnessing "history being made."
Guided by Italian coach Claudio Berardelli, Sawe's journey to greatness involved overcoming injuries and personal setbacks. His success is attributed to physiological advantages and an excellent attitude.
Sawe ran the historic time in London despite a recent stress fracture and back issues. The race also saw debutant Yomif Kejelcha and half marathon world record holder Jacob Kiplimo achieve remarkable sub-two-hour performances.
Technological advancements, including Adidas' latest lightweight 'supershoes,' and optimized fuelling strategies also played a role in Sawe's record-breaking run.
Amidst doping concerns in Kenyan athletics, Sawe has proactively undergone extensive testing, with Adidas providing $50,000 to the Athletics Integrity Unit. He affirmed his commitment to clean competition, stating, "It shows Sabastian Sawe is clean. It shows running clean is good, and we can run clean and we can run faster."
The world will be watching Sawe's next steps as his coach predicts further improvements.