Triumphant Welcome for Sebastian Sawe in Kenya After Breaking the Marathon Record
Runner Sebastian Sawe, who recently made history by clocking the first sub-two-hour time in a marathon, was welcomed as a true hero upon returning to Kenya. Nairobi’s airport was packed with eager fans, and the country’s president, William Ruto, honored him with a cash prize and a car.
Last Sunday, Sawe won the London Marathon with an impressive time of 1:59:30, breaking one of the most challenging barriers in athletics and beating the previous world record by more than a minute. At just 31, he became an iconic figure for the nation when he arrived home on Wednesday night, where he was greeted by a jubilant crowd of fans and family members.
Welcome Ceremony at the Airport
The plane carrying Sawe was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute as it landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. President Ruto welcomed the athlete at the official residence, where he awarded him eight million Kenyan shillings (approximately US$ 62,064) and a vehicle.
The airport reception was marked by scenes of celebration and chaos, as reported by Al Jazeera correspondent Catherine Soi. “People came out to celebrate, saying he is a hero,” Soi noted, as Sawe’s supporters expressed their pride in the runner’s achievement.
Many fans admitted they had not known Sawe until his feat made the news, but they were inspired after watching clips of his race. “Seeing him in person was very special, and it’s also inspiring to know he is just an ordinary person like me,” fan David Gitonga told Al Jazeera. He added that Sawe’s achievement shows that everyone has the potential to accomplish great things.
Family Support and Traditional Celebrations
Sawe was met at the airport by his parents and by Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who praised the athlete’s achievement as “a victory for Kenya.” The runner was crowned with a traditional wreath made of branches, symbolizing victory. Folk dancers sang songs in his honor as he made his way to a luxury government vehicle, part of the “hero’s” welcome acknowledged by the minister.
Sawe’s parents said they always believed in their son’s potential, even when he was a child. His mother, Emily Sawe, recalled times when he would run fast during bath time. “He ran so fast that I thought one day he would shine for me,” she told the Associated Press.
His father, Simion Kiplagat Sawe, described the tension he felt while watching the marathon on Sunday, as the television signal was poor. “When my son took the lead, I went outside and didn’t see the finish. I watched the replay later and was extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it’s hard to swallow anything,” he said.
Future Ambitions and Impact on the Sport
Sawe expressed pride in having “achieved something great in life” and revealed plans to try to lower the record even further. His coach, Claudio Bertelli, who began working with Sawe in 2020, analyzed the race, noting that the athlete led from the start. “He followed the pacemakers for 27 kilometers and, from there, took control of the race, raising the pace with courage and determination,” said the experienced Italian coach.
The warm welcome at the airport reflected the impact of Sawe’s victory, especially among young athletes who aspire to follow in his footsteps. “Many people came here to see him and celebrate him,” Soi said, highlighting the importance of the feat for the new generation of runners.
During a ceremony honoring his extraordinary achievement, President Ruto praised Sawe, saying: “You have not only broken a record, but expanded the horizons of human potential. You did what many believed was impossible and, in doing so, inspired a nation and the world.”
In a symbolic gesture, Sawe presented President Ruto with a pair of the Adidas Adizero shoes he wore during the marathon, along with a signed photo of the moment he broke the world record. The previous record of 2:00:35 had been set by Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum in Chicago in October 2023, before his tragic death in a car accident in 2024. Another Kenyan, Eliud Kipchoge, had broken the two-hour barrier at a special event in 2019, but that feat was not recognized as an official record.
Sawe made his marathon debut with a win in Valencia in December 2024 and has since won every race he has run at the distance.
