Kenya Awards Sebastian Sawe $62,000 and Custom Car After Sub-Two-Hour Marathon Record

Sebastian Sawe returned to Kenya on April 30, 2026, after setting a marathon world record of 1:59:30 at the London Marathon on Sunday in April 2026, becoming the first man to run the distance under two hours in official race conditions. Fans and family members thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to welcome Sawe, where the aircraft received a water cannon salute.

Traditional dancers performed, and Sawe was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs.

He was greeted by his parents, Emily Sawe and Simion Kiplagat Sawe, along with Sports Minister Salim Mvurya. Sawe held a short media conference at the airport. President William Ruto awarded Sawe eight million Kenyan shillings, equivalent to $62,064, at State House in Nairobi.

Ruto presented two cheques worth five million and three million Kenyan shillings on behalf of the government. He also gave Sawe a brand-new car with a customized registration plate bearing '1:59:30'. “You have not only broken a record, you have expanded the horizon of human potential,” Ruto said to Sawe.

“You have done what many believed could not be done. The 31-year-old Sawe wore Adidas Adizero shoes during the London Marathon. His coach, Claudio Bertelli, whom Sawe joined in 2020, said Sawe followed pacemakers for 27 kilometers and then took control of the race.

The previous marathon world record was 2:00:35, set by Kelvin Kiptum at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. Kiptum died in a car crash in 2024. Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier in a specially staged event in 2019, which did not count as an official record.

Sawe made his marathon debut with a victory in Valencia in December 2024 and has won every one of his races over the marathon distance since his debut.