NAIROBI, KENYA, April 30, 2026 — President William Ruto has awarded Ksh8 million to Kenyan marathoner Sabastian Sawe after his historic performance at the London Marathon.
Sawe made global headlines after completing the race in 1:59:30, becoming the first man to officially run a marathon in under two hours. His time broke the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
During a ceremony at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto presented Sawe with two cheques worth Ksh5 million and Ksh3 million in recognition of his achievement.
The Ksh5 million award was granted for breaking the world record, while the Ksh3 million was issued under government policy rewarding athletes who win gold medals in major competitions.
In addition, Sawe received a customised Kenyan number plate bearing the record time “1:59:30” and was directed to select a vehicle of his choice, which will be fully funded by the government.
The athlete, who returned to the country via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, later presented the president with an autographed pair of running shoes used during the record-breaking race.
The 2026 London Marathon is now being described as one of the most remarkable in history, with multiple standout performances. Ethiopia’s Yofin Kejelcha also ran under two hours, clocking 1:59:41, while Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo finished third with a personal best of 2:00:28.
Speaking during the event, President Ruto praised Sawe’s achievement, saying it had redefined the limits of human endurance.
“You have not only broken a record; you have expanded the horizon of human potential. You have made the impossible possible,” he said.