Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe won his first Berlin Marathon yesterday in a season’s best time of 2 hours, 2 minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in three races over the distance, but his world record attempt failed on a humid day.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira was a surprise second after a powerful second half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe. Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele came in third.
“It was hard, but I was prepared,” Sawe said. “I did my best and I happy for this performance. I am so happy for this year.”
Photo: AFP
“I felt well, but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better,” he said.
Tens of thousands of Berliners lined the streets on a sunny morning, hoping for another world record at what is considered the fastest marathon course on the calendar.
Winner of the London marathon in April, the 29-year-old Sawe, who also won on his marathon debut in Valencia in December last year, took charge from the start, setting a sizzling pace.
No one could keep up with Sawe, who was only surrounded by his pacesetters and went through the halfway mark in 1 hour, 12 seconds, well within world record time.
He had fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 record of 2:00.35 firmly in his sights, but after his last pacemaker dropped out at the 23km mark, it was clear Sawe’s quick start had come at a price.
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