Kenya's Sabastian Sawe poses in front of the Buckingham Palace during the photo call ahead of the London Marathon.
In many respects, it will be a defining moment for Sebastian Sawe when he lines up in the London Marathon tomorrow, Sunday, April 28.
For starters, Sawe belongs to a new breed of athletes who have gone against the grain and taken to road running instead of competing in middle and long-distance races on the track and graduated to road running. The most notable athlete in that category is the late Kelvin Kiptum, who holds the world record in the marathon of two hours and 35 seconds.
Other Kenyan athletes in that category include the 2022 Boston Marathon and 2022 New York City Marathon champion Evans Chebet, 2019 Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon winner Lawrence Cherono, and reigning London Marathon champion Alexander Munyao.
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe celebrates after finishing first during the Valencia Marathon.
Although he is the world half-marathon champion, Sawe has not competed in track races all his life and will be running only his second marathon race of his career tomorrow. Sawe, 30, ran his first 42km race last December and won on his first time of asking.
He won the 2024 Valencia Marathon in two hours, two minutes and five seconds.
Secondly, Sawe is the second fastest marathoner in the field for tomorrow’s London Marathon, which is a World Marathon Majors (WMM) race.
The World Marathon Majors is a series of seven of the world’s most prestigious races. They are the Tokyo Marathon, Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Chicago Marathon, New York Marathon, and Sydney Marathon, which joined the club this year.
Sawe’s time of 2:02:05 from victory in the Valencia Marathon last year makes him the second fastest athlete in the men’s race of the London Marathon.
“It’s not easy to be named among the elite athletes in a race like the London Marathon, but I know they have been following my progress, especially in the half marathons, and I’m really excited to compete on Sunday. We will start the race and see how it unfolds,” he said early this week before leaving for London.
In the men’s race, four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge is the fastest in the field with a personal best time of 2:01:09 and is eyeing a record fifth title.
As he competes in the World Marathon Majors, the 30-year-old Sawe, who trains under the 2Running Athletics Club in Kapsabet, in Nandi County, is optimistic that he will be able to pull a surprise on Sunday.
Kenya's Sabastian Sawe crosses the line first during the Valencia Marathon.
Sawe, who is also the World Half Marathon champion, said that marathons are tough and demanding, and as he competes in the second marathon in his career, he will be taking it kilometre by kilometre and feel how his body will respond.
“Running 42km isn’t an easy task, and I’m still learning, but again, I won’t fear anyone because we have all trained for the race. They are experienced, yes, but I believe I am prepared well and ready to face the tough challenge ahead, and if possible, be on the podium,” said Sawe.
After winning the Valencia Marathon in December, Sawe took a small break and started his training in January. He hopes his training sessions with some of Kenya’s elite athletes, like two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet, and former London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto, have p[prepared him for what lies ahead.
On the other hand, Timothy Kiplagat, who was second last year in the Tokyo Marathon, will be eyeing another podium finish in tomorrow’s race.
He is also one of the fastest-rising marathoners, having started his career as a pacemaker in the Abu Dhabi Marathon on December 17, 2022. On that occasion, Kiplagat set a searing pace till the 30km mark, and since none of the athletes kept pace with him, he took matters into his own hands, speeding off to victory.
With a personal best of 2:02:55, he is confident that he will put to good use the training he has done as he competes in the London Marathon for the first time.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s half-marathon world record holder, Jacob Kiplimo, said he was well-prepared and ready to do his best when he makes his full marathon debut in London tomorrow.
Twice world cross country champion Kiplimo, who shattered the half-marathon record by 48 seconds in Barcelona in February, will feature in a stellar field that includes Ethiopia’s Olympic champion Tamirat Tola and marathon great Eliud Kipchoge.
