Sabastian Kimaru Sawe is Kenyan long-distance distance runner who specializes in marathons, half marathons, and road racing. He is recognized for his titles as a World Road Running champion, a two-time major marathon winner, and one of the most prominent performers in modern road athletics.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Sabastian Kimaru Sawe |
| Date of birth | 16 March 1995 |
| Place of birth | Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| State of origin | Uasin Gishu County, Kenya |
| Partner | Lydia |
| Children | Three |
| Occupations | Long-distance runner and road racer |
| Net worth | Estimated $2 million – $4 million |
Early Life and Education
Sawe was born on 16 March 1995 in Kenya, which remains his official country of birth and nationality. He spent his formative years in the Rift Valley region, specifically within Uasin Gishu County, where he was primarily raised by his grandmother.
He received his schooling at a prestigious institution in Iten known for producing top-tier athletes, later refining his skills while training in Nandi County. He began his journey into running during primary school, eventually dedicating himself to the sport after joining a professional training camp.
Career
Sawe’s international breakthrough was on the roads in 2022, when he ran 58:02 at the Rome-Ostia Half Marathon and then won the Bahrain Royal Night Half Marathon in 58:58. World Athletics later recorded a 2023 10 km road best of 26:49 and a 10,000 m best of 27:09.46, showing his range across road and track disciplines.
In 2024, he won the Prague Half Marathon in 58:24, a world-leading performance at the time, and later improved his half-marathon best again. He made his marathon debut at the Valencia Marathon on 1 December 2024 and won in 2:02:05, one of the fastest marathon debuts ever.
In 2025, he won the London Marathon in 2:02:27 and later the Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16, according to World Athletics’ own summary of his season. World Athletics also reports his personal best marathon time as 1:59:30 on 26 April 2026.
Personal Life
Sabastian Sawe is married to Lydia Jerono Sawe, and together, they are parents to three sons, though he rarely discusses family matters in public forums.
Net Worth
Sabastian Sawe’s estimated net worth around $2 million and $4 million as of 2026. This valuation is derived from his significant earnings in prize money from major marathon wins, appearance fees at elite road races, and global sponsorship contracts.
Major Athletic Achievements
- Marathon World Record Holder: Set the official world record of 1:59:30 at the 2026 London Marathon, becoming the first man to break the two-hour barrier.
- Major Marathon Wins: Won the London Marathon (2025, 2026) and the Berlin Marathon (2025), maintaining an undefeated record in all marathon races he has entered.
- Half-Marathon Dominance: Won the 2024 Prague Half Marathon and the 2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon (58:05 PB), consistently performing at the top of the international road racing circuit.
- Road Running Versatility: Achieved notable success in 10 km and 15 km road races, including a victory at the 2023 Montferland Run.
- National Representation: Secured the Kenyan national cross-country title and contributed to Kenya’s team gold medal at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships.
- One-Hour Run Record: Set a Kenyan national record in the one-hour run at the Brussels Memorial Van Damme in 2022, covering a distance of 21,250 meters.
Medals and Honors
- London Marathon: Gold (2025, 2026).
- Berlin Marathon: Gold (2025).
- World Cross Country Championships: Team Gold (2023).
- Government Recognition: Awarded a financial grant and a vehicle by the Kenyan government following his historic 2026 world record performance.
- Race Records: Holds multiple course records across elite international road racing events, further solidifying his status as a premier global athlete.
