Kenyan marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the 2026 Berlin Marathon because of an injury, dealing a major blow to one of the world’s biggest long-distance races.
The 31-year-old was expected to defend his Berlin Marathon title on September 27, but organisers confirmed on August 27 that injury had forced him to withdraw. Sawe said he was disappointed to miss the race but did not reveal the exact nature of the injury.
The withdrawal is particularly significant because the Berlin race was expected to be Sawe’s first major competition since his historic performance at the London Marathon in April. During that race, he became the first man to officially run a competitive marathon in under two hours, finishing in an astonishing 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
Sawe had also enjoyed major success in Berlin in 2025, winning the race in 2:02:16 despite difficult weather conditions. His return this year had generated huge excitement among athletics fans, with many expecting him to challenge his own world record on Berlin’s famously fast course.
In his statement, Sawe expressed sadness about missing the event, saying he had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin. He also thanked his supporters and wished the other athletes competing in the marathon a successful race.
His absence will change the men’s race significantly. As the defending champion and current world-record holder, Sawe was expected to be the biggest attraction of the competition. His withdrawal now gives other elite runners an opportunity to compete for the title.
Despite the setback in the men’s race, the women’s competition remains highly competitive. Ethiopian distance-running star Tigst Assefa is among the leading names expected to compete in Berlin, ensuring that the event will still attract global attention.
For Kenya, Sawe’s withdrawal is disappointing, especially after a remarkable year that turned him into one of the country’s biggest sporting heroes. Kenya has a long history of producing world-class marathon runners, and Sawe’s record-breaking achievement in London added another major chapter to that legacy.
The focus will now shift to his recovery and when he will return to competition. With several major international marathons coming up, athletics fans will be hoping the injury is not serious and that the Kenyan star can return to the road soon.
