President William Ruto on Thursday led the nation in celebrating marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe, awarding him Ksh8 million after his historic sub-two-hour performance at the London Marathon.
Sawe stunned the world on Sunday when he crossed the finish line in 1:59:30, officially breaking the marathon world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in 2023. In doing so, he lowered the mark by one minute and five seconds to become the first man to run a record-eligible marathon in under two hours.
The hero’s welcome began upon his arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, where he was received with a ceremonial water salute. At State House, Nairobi, a red-carpet reception followed, complete with the Kenyan and East African anthems, before Sawe symbolically handed the national flag to President Ruto.
Presenting the award, Ruto handed Sawe two cheques, Sh5 million for breaking the world record and Sh3 million for winning gold in line with the government’s athlete reward policy. He also unveiled a customised number plate bearing “1:59:30” and announced that Sawe would choose a car of his preference for the historic plates.
“On behalf of the nation, the people of Kenya, we want to say a very big congratulations for this unmatched feat,” Ruto said. “What our very own Sawe achieved on the streets of London is not merely a sporting triumph. It is a defining moment in the history of human endurance.”
The President described the performance as a once-in-a-generation achievement.
Sabastian Sawe gifts President William Ruto the shoe he wore when breaking the sub‑two‑hour barrier at the London Marathon. (Photo: Erick Kariuki)
“Future generations will look back on April 26, 2026, as the day a man broke through a physical and psychological barrier long thought insurmountable. And the name forever attached to that moment will be Sebastian Sawe,” he declared.
Drawing parallels with historic milestones, Ruto added, “When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and when Roger Bannister shattered the four-minute mile, those moments redefined possibility itself. In his own extraordinary way, Sebastian Sawe has done the same.”
He also referenced Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge, saying, “As Eliud Kipchoge reminded us, no human is limited. Today, Sebastian has given that truth new meaning.”
Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei traced Sawe’s rapid rise on the global stage.
“Sebastian started international running in 2023 in Riga, and he was number one. In 2024, in Valencia, again number one. In 2025, he ran his first full marathon in London and won. He went to Berlin and won. And now in 2026, he has broken the world record,” Tuwei said.
The celebrations at State House were marked by pomp and symbolism. As the master of the ceremony announced, “One hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds,” the band played as Sawe walked the red carpet carrying the Kenyan flag, a symbol of having flown the country’s colours high in London.
The Kenyan anthem was played first, followed by the East African anthem, before Sawe formally handed over the flag to the President as a sign that the team had returned home triumphantly.
Senior government officials, including Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, the Principal Secretary for Sports, and officials from Athletics Kenya, joined the ceremony. Sawe’s parents were invited for a family photo with the President, alongside his coach Paradel and management representative Eric Limo.
Sabastian Sawe looks on as President William hands the marathoner's historic shoes to Sports CS Salim Mvurya. (Photo: Erick Kariuki)
In his address, Tuwei detailed Sawe’s meteoric progression in global road running. He recalled that Sawe began his international career in 2023 at the World Half Marathon in Riga, Latvia, where he finished first.
In 2024, he won again in Valencia, Spain. In 2025, he transitioned to the full marathon, winning in London before claiming another victory in Berlin. In December 2025, World Athletics voted him the best male road runner of the year.
“And now in 2026, he has broken the world record. Not only breaking the record, but running sub two, below two hours. No other human being in the world, in the history of marathon running, has ever run below two hours. He is the only one, the best one,” Tuwe said, noting that Ethiopia’s Kejelcha finished second, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo came third, and Kenya’s Amos Kibet placed fourth in the historic race.
Tuwei also used the opportunity to appreciate government support for athletes and revealed plans by Athletics Kenya to develop a 20-acre sports complex in Kasarani, complete with a modern stadium, indoor training facilities, swimming pool and hostel to provide a permanent home for athletes in Nairobi. He disclosed that Ksh237 million had already been raised toward the project and appealed for further government support.
When he took to the podium, Sawe expressed gratitude for the honour bestowed upon him and dedicated his victory to the country.
“Thank you, our President, for today, for this chance. The work that I did when I went to London, I did on behalf of my country as a whole. I continued to make the name of our country proud so that it can continue to shine. It is a joyous occasion for all of us. Mine is to say thank you, and I will still continue working hard on my talent and to build the name of my country so that it can continue shining. Thank you, Your Excellency, for the good work that you are continuing to do for athletes and sports in general,” Sawe said.
In a symbolic gesture of appreciation, Sawe presented President Ruto with an autographed pair of the shoes he wore during the record-breaking race.
Sabastian Sawe signs a self-portrait of when he crossed the finish line after breaking the sub‑two‑hour barrier at the London Marathon. (Photo: Erick Kariuki)
Addressing the gathering, Sports CS Salim Mvurya described the reception as a demonstration of the President’s commitment to nurturing youth talent.
He congratulated Sawe for profiling the country globally and assured Kenyans that the government would continue investing in infrastructure and grassroots talent development to sustain Kenya’s sporting dominance.
President Ruto, in his extended address, reiterated the magnitude of Sawe’s achievement, describing it as a moment that stretched the boundaries of belief. He noted that until just two years ago, Sawe was not a marathoner, yet since stepping onto the marathon stage, he has remained unbeaten.
The President highlighted Kenya’s long-standing dominance in distance running, tracing the lineage of world record holders from Patrick Makau to the late Kelvin Kiptum, and affirmed that Kenya remains the true home of marathon excellence.
“You have not only broken a record, but you have also expanded the horizon of human potential. You have done what many believed could not be done. You have made the impossible possible,” Ruto told Sawe. “We take immense pride in this record of success.”
With the national flag handed back and history firmly etched in Kenya’s sporting legacy, Sawe’s 1:59:30 now stands not just as a time on the clock, but as a defining chapter in global athletics and a moment of unity and pride for the nation.
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