'Just A Matter of Time' - Sabastian Sawe Undeterred in World Record Quest Despite Berlin Setback

Despite challenging conditions at this year's Berlin Marathon, Sabastian Sawe remains confident in his ability to break the marathon world record, dismissing his recent performance as a temporary hurdle.

When asked if better weather could have yielded a world record in Berlin, the reigning London Marathon champion responded with a laugh.

The race, however, has reignited conversations about the limits of human endurance in marathon running.

"Berlin was really tough," Sawe admitted in an interview with The Independent, following a gruelling training regimen that saw him run up to 230 km (143 miles) per week. "I just kept in my mind how well prepared I was, but, yes, the weather made a huge difference."

Sabastian Sawe remains optimistic about his future prospects, including the elusive sub-two-hour barrier. "I think the world record is really fast, but sub-two? It’ll come by itself," he stated.

"What matters most is how I prepared myself, how I’m ready for it. It’s honestly just a matter of time. Sometimes we do things well, but the race comes, and it’s disappointing. With time, it’ll come."

The marathon world has recently been rocked by controversy, casting a shadow over remarkable achievements.

Ruth Chepngetich, the first woman to run a sub-2:10 marathon, accepted a two-year provisional suspension after a failed doping test for a masking agent. This development has intensified scepticism surrounding elite performances.

Sabastian Sawe's coach, Claudio Berardelli, acknowledged the difficult climate. After Sabastian Sawe's victory at the London Marathon and strong subsequent training, Berardelli recognised his athlete's exceptional potential.

"We realised before Berlin that Sabastian is, with respect for my other athletes, a bit different, special and capable of doing something great," the Italian coach revealed.

"But in light of what happened in Chicago with Chepng’etich, I remember telling [agent] Eric Lilot, ‘this might be the worst moment ever to try to run very fast, people will not believe us.’"

In response to the growing doubts within the sport, Sabastian Sawe and his team took an unprecedented step.

They collaborated with Adidas and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on an extensive voluntary anti-doping program to ensure transparency ahead of his Berlin race.

The protocol involved Sawe undergoing 25 unannounced tests between July 25 and the race day on September 21.

"Kenya has a big doping problem, but it doesn’t mean every group is doing it or that it’s systematic," Claudio Berardelli explained. "Sabastian agreed straight away... the impact is more mental."

For Sawe, the motivation is clear, to protect the integrity and future of athletics. "What can I say to my fellow athletes? It’s good to run clean, so we need a lot of tests to show this and protect athletics," Sawe urged. "It’s necessary for the longevity of athletics, and also for a good career in the sport."

With the Berlin Marathon behind them, Sabastian Sawe and his team are considering shorter races, like a half-marathon or 10km, to sharpen his form, a different approach from marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge.

The ultimate goal remains to break Kelvin Kiptum's world record and become the first person to officially run a sub-two-hour marathon.

Sabastian Sawe's determination is unshaken. "Yes, I’m happy and ready to try it [the world record] again for my next marathon," he concluded with a smile. "We are ready for it, and we’ll get it next time."

As Sabastian Sawe looks ahead to his next race, his unwavering belief and commitment to clean sport continue to define his journey.