When Sebastian Sawe became the first athlete to run a marathon in under two hours on April 26, 2026, setting a world record of 1 hour 59 minutes 30 seconds at the London Marathon, his parents, Simon and Emily Sawe, followed the race from their home in Nandi County, Kenya. Glued to their screen, they erupted with joy.
“We screamed, we jumped for joy… We were so proud! Sebastian made us so proud, I don’t even have the words. We thank God ,” said Emily, moved.
A destiny written from childhood
Sebastian, the youngest of three children, was always dazzling, according to his parents. His mother, herself a former athlete, fondly recalls: "When I wanted to wash him, he would run away, and I could never catch him. Even as an athlete, I couldn't catch him. He ran too fast. So, I would tell myself: 'One day, this boy will shine for me.
His journey began in 2024, when he won the Valencia marathon in 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 5 seconds. It was his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, silver medalist at the 2008 World Championships in Berlin and former Olympian, who introduced him to professional running.
Despite this historic record, Sebastian, nicknamed "Kimaru" in his hometown, doesn't plan to stop there. "Even today, he says this record isn't enough. He wants to improve it even further ," reveals his father, Simon. This determination is truly admirable, as the Nandi County community prepares to celebrate its hero.
