2025 Berlin Marathon: Why Sabastian Sawe is Man to Watch on September 21

The Kenyan star eyes glory in Berlin as he returns to a familiar course with record-breaking ambitions and fierce competition ahead.

Kenyan major marathon winner Sabastian Sawe will be among the headline athletes at the upcoming Berlin Marathon on September 21.

The 30-year-old star, who currently sits fifth on the world all-time list, returns to Berlin with high expectations after two jaw-dropping performances in his first two career marathons.

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Sawe stunned the athletics world with a 2:02:05 debut win in Valencia in December 2024 — the second-fastest marathon debut ever — before following it up with a London Marathon win this April in 2:02:27.

Sawe is no stranger to Berlin, having already tasted success there when he won the Generali Berlin Half Marathon in 2023.

Race Director Mark Milde expressed excitement over Sawe’s return to the German capital.

“We are delighted that Sebastian Sawe recognizes the BMW Berlin Marathon and its flat course. He has already impressed on Berlin’s roads when he took the Generali Berlin Half Marathon in 2023. The race will certainly be exciting,” said Milde.

This year marks the 51st edition of the Berlin Marathon, a race known for its record-breaking pedigree, with 13 world records having fallen on its course since 1998.

The Berlin Marathon is also part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors series and has long set global standards in the sport.

A Stacked Field, but All Eyes on Sawe

Sawe will face stiff competition from a world-class men’s field that includes Ethiopia’s defending champion Milkesa Mengesha, who clocked a personal best of 2:03:17 to win last year, and Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, who owns a lifetime best of 2:03:00 from Valencia in 2022.

Both runners bring experience and speed, but Sawe’s current form and rapid rise make him the pre-race favorite.

Geay, who had a challenging 2024 season, showed signs of a strong comeback with a win in Daegu, South Korea, earlier this year, running 2:05:20. Mengesha, meanwhile, surprised many with his dominant Berlin win in 2024 and will be determined to defend his crown.

Yet, none in the field have displayed the kind of breakout momentum Sawe has shown over the past year.

In addition to his full marathon accolades, Sawe is also the reigning World Half Marathon Champion, a title he earned in Riga in 2023, further establishing his all-around road racing dominance.

Eyeing History on Berlin’s Fast Track

Given Berlin’s reputation as the world’s fastest marathon course, there is growing speculation that Sawe could attack his personal best or even challenge the world record, which also fell in Berlin.

The city’s smooth asphalt, low altitude, and consistent pacing make it an ideal stage for history-making performances.

“No other race in the world has set as many world records as Berlin since 1998. As co-founders of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, we are setting standards,” said Jürgen Lock, Managing Director of marathon organizer SCC EVENTS.

Sawe’s combination of power, efficiency, and marathon smarts makes him a compelling favorite — and possibly the next world record threat.

If he succeeds, he will not just win another major — he could etch his name into marathon history.