Kenyan President Awards Runner with Prize and Car After Shattering Marathon Record: 1:59:30

Sebastian Sawe's Historic Win at the 2026 London Marathon

According to Главком: Kenya's President William Ruto has presented runner Sebastian Sawe with a cash prize and a vehicle for setting a new world record at the 2026 London Marathon. Sawe completed the 42.195-kilometer course in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds (1:59:30), making him the first marathoner ever to break the two-hour barrier in an official competition. The previous record was held by Kelvin Kiptum, who posted a time of 2 hours, 0 minutes, and 35 seconds at the Chicago Marathon in October 2023. This achievement marks a monumental milestone in long-distance running, capturing global attention.

The award ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Nairobi. William Ruto handed over two checks totaling 8 million Kenyan shillings, roughly equivalent to 62,000 US dollars. Additionally, Sawe received a new car bearing the personalized license plate 1:59:30, a tribute to his record-breaking performance.

Other Marathon Results

At the 2026 London Marathon, where Sawe claimed victory, Ethiopia's Yomif Kejelcha took second place with a time of 1:59:40, while Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo secured third place at 2:00:28. In the women's race, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa emerged triumphant, finishing in 2:15:41-improving her own previous record by 9 seconds set at last year's London Marathon.

William Ruto stated: 'No investment could ever secure the global recognition and positive image abroad that Kenyan athletes provide.'

Sebastian Sawe's world record at the London Marathon not only highlights the extraordinary achievements of Kenyan athletes but also reinforces their standing on the international stage. Sawe's victory, along with the successes of other runners like Tigst Assefa, underscores the high level of training and strong athletic tradition in Kenya. These accomplishments could positively influence the development of sports within the country and attract further investment in sports infrastructure.

Sawe's remarkable achievement came amidst a historic event, as the 2026 London Marathon saw a record-breaking number of participants. With 59,830 runners crossing the finish line, this marathon not only showcased individual talent but also highlighted the growing popularity of marathon running worldwide.