President William Ruto has awarded Sh8 million to men’s world marathon record holder Sabastian Sawe and pledged to buy him a car of his choice following his remarkable achievement at the London Marathon last weekend.
On April 26, Sawe made history as the first man to break the two-hour barrier in a full marathon under official race conditions, finishing with a time of 1:59:30 to defend his London title.
In a thrilling finish, Sawe outpaced Ethiopian star Yomif Kejelcha, who also broke the barrier with a debut time of 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo completed the podium with 2:00:28.
In recognition of this monumental performance, President Ruto awarded Sawe Sh5 million for breaking the world record and Sh3 million for his victory, aligning with the government’s updated athlete reward structure.
Ruto also presented customized number plates featuring Sawe’s winning time, 1 59 30. “These plates are for a car, but since Sawe already has a number plate, he asked where to place the new one,” Ruto noted. “You can choose any car you want, and I will buy it for you,” he assured.
Days after his significant payday for winning and setting a world record in London, Sawe stands to earn over $1 million (Sh129.2 million) from his historic marathon victory. This includes a direct prize of $355,000 (Sh45.9 million) along with performance bonuses and contractual incentives from Adidas.
His earnings break down into several bonuses: $55,000 (Sh7.1 million) for winning, $150,000 (Sh19.4 million) for finishing under 2:02:00, $125,000 (Sh16.1 million) for the world record, and $25,000 (Sh3.2 million) for the course record.
This government recognition follows a similar award to quadruple world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon, who received Sh5 million for breaking the 1,500m record and a house valued at Sh6 million last year.
Ruto praised Sawe’s extraordinary run as a testament to Kenya’s dominance in global distance running. “What Sebastian has achieved confirms Kenya’s status as the origin of wonder,” he stated. “If anyone doubted the magic of Kenya, Sebastian has clarified that.”
For the past 15 years, Kenyan athletes have exclusively broken the men’s marathon world record, reinforcing the nation’s stronghold in the sport. Ruto emphasized the significance of Sawe’s achievement, describing it as a rare moment that transcends sports.
“Such moments are exceedingly rare, perhaps once in a generation or even a lifetime. Sawe’s accomplishment in London is not just a sporting victory; it defines human endurance,” Ruto said. “Sebastian, you have not only broken a record but expanded the horizons of human potential.”
He further likened Sawe’s triumph to historic breakthroughs such as Neil Armstrong’s moon landing and Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile. “Sawe’s place in history is now secure; future generations will remember April 26, 2026, as the day a man broke through barriers once thought insurmountable,” Ruto added.
“We are privileged to witness this moment in history,” he remarked, also acknowledging Sawe’s competitors. “Our friends from Ethiopia and Uganda, thank you for providing the fierce competition that helped Sebastian make history.”
Sawe expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at State House, stating, “I appreciate this welcome. My record run aimed to elevate Kenya’s name on the global stage.” He committed to continuing his efforts to represent the nation proudly. “I will not let you down,” he vowed.
Sports CS Salim Mvurya thanked the President for honoring Sawe, calling the occasion memorable and a demonstration of leadership in inspiring youth talent.
Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei believes Sawe’s record-breaking run is just the beginning. “No one has ever run under two hours in marathon history. We are incredibly proud of him and confident he will achieve even more,” Tuwei stated.
