Berlin (AFP) - In April, Kenyan Sabastian Sawe became the first marathoner to go under two hours, but he believes he can still go faster and complete the 42.195 meters in less than 1h59: "There are no limits," he says in an interview with AFP.

First modification: 09/30/2026 - 11:56

This 31-year-old distance runner ran the London Marathon in April in 1h59:30, breaking down the mythical two-hour barrier, which many considered untouchable.

"I know it's possible to run under 1:59," Sawe told AFP, "if we have good weather, good pacing and I'm in good shape."

Sawe said more records will fall as running's popularity soars and technology improves.

"We don't know what the next few years have in store for us because maybe other people will come and do something big. For now there are no limits," he estimated.

- "Something special" -

Sawe admits that he was the first to be surprised by his record: "I didn't expect to run under two hours. I wanted to retain my title... But when I saw (the time) with my own eyes when the race was almost over, it was something surprising for me and I was very happy and grateful."

The winner of the 2025 Berlin Marathon was due to run again in the German capital on Sunday but missed it through injury.

"It was hard, but I had to accept it because injuries are part of running," he says.

Sawe hopes to return to the London Marathon in 2027, but in the longer term he has his sights set on achieving "something special" at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"Now I am becoming someone bigger in athletics, I have learned a lot and I have learned that patience is important and that recovery is important to make you feel fast and strong," he explained.

On Sunday in Berlin, a rupture of the Achilles tendon in the final part of the race surely prevented the Ethiopian Tigst Assefa from breaking the women's record.

He rode at world record pace until kilometer 35, but was injured and ran the last two kilometers limping.

After crossing the finish line, she had to be helped to stay upright, but despite everything, she achieved the third best female mark in history.

"When I saw what happened I was shocked because she was doing a great race this year in Berlin. Everything was perfect for her... She was racing to achieve everything she had worked for," Sawe said.

The Kenyan encouraged the 29-year-old athlete to fight for the record: "I'm sure she will, because Tigst is a very strong woman and has a great mentality. She always has the courage to push her limits further. She has always been a winner."

"Protect sport"

The injury not only deprived Assefa of entering history again, but also of erasing a record that many consider tainted.

Assefa's 2h11:04 was just over a minute away from the 2h09:56 set by Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich in 2024.

A year later, Chepngetich was suspended for three years for doping, but her record still stands.

Sawe has also done a lot to end the shadow of doping in Kenyan athletics, which currently has more than a hundred athletes suspended.

For years, Sawe has volunteered to undergo extensive additional testing in addition to national and international requirements, averaging one extra test every three days.

"Even with everything I've accomplished, I want to show the world that not all athletes run dirty... There was a time when there was more doubt than confidence," he admits.

"It's a good routine for athletes to have multiple tests to show that they are running and winning clean. It shows that we are future-proofing the sport," he adds.

In September, Nairobi was announced as the first African venue for the World Athletics Championships, for the 2029 edition.

"I hope it serves to give a good reputation to my country and show that we are fighting doping in many ways," wishes the athlete.

"It is something special for us Kenyans... It is an important moment to have it in our country and we appreciate it very much," he concludes.

© 2026 AFP

The content you requested does not exist or is no longer available.