Kenyan marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from this year’s Berlin Marathon due to injury, ending hopes of another standout performance on the streets of the German capital.
The 31-year-old defending champion confirmed that he would not compete in the September 27 race, although he did not disclose details of the injury.
Sawe had been expected to make his first competitive appearance since his historic performance at the London Marathon in April, where he became the first man to complete a record-eligible marathon in under two hours, clocking 1:59:30.
He also won the 2025 Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16, making his absence a significant setback for the men’s field.
Expressing disappointment over his withdrawal, Sawe thanked the race organisers and fans for their continued support as he recovers from the injury.
His absence is expected to leave the men’s competition wide open, with rivals set to battle for the prestigious title in Berlin.
The women’s race, meanwhile, is expected to attract major attention with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa set to compete following her recent world-record performance at the London Marathon.
The Berlin Marathon is scheduled for September 27, while Sawe’s return to competitive action will now depend on his recovery.
