NAIROBI, Kenya — Congratulatory messages have begun pouring in from Kenya’s top political leaders after Sebastian Sawe delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon, becoming the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier in official race conditions with a time of 1:59:30, according to World Athletics.
President William Ruto led national celebrations, hailing Sawe’s performance as a defining moment in global athletics and a powerful reminder of Kenya’s dominance in distance running.
He praised the athlete for “redrawing the limits of human endurance” and reaffirmed Kenya’s continued presence at the pinnacle of world sport.
“Your triumph places you firmly among the greats of global athletics and reaffirms Kenya as an enduring force at the pinnacle of distance running,” Ruto said in his message of congratulations, also commending the strong performances by Kenya’s women athletes in the race.
Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya also joined in celebrating the achievement, describing Sawe’s performance as “extraordinary and historic,” noting that it had not only broken records but also inspired a new generation of athletes across the country.
“Sawe has redefined the limits of human performance and cemented his place among the greats in marathon history,” Mvurya said, adding that Kenya remained “tall and proud” as a global powerhouse in long-distance running.
Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua also lauded Sawe, describing the victory as a moment of national pride.
He said the athlete’s discipline and determination reflect the resilience of Kenyan sport and the country’s global reputation in athletics.
The celebrations come after Sawe’s dramatic performance in London, where he surged ahead in the final stages of the race to secure a groundbreaking victory.
Ethiopia’s Yomif Kejelcha and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo also delivered historic sub-two-hour performances, underscoring the unprecedented pace of the race.
Sawe’s achievement has sparked widespread national celebration, with many Kenyans viewing the result as one of the most significant sporting milestones in modern history.
The performance also strengthens Kenya’s longstanding dominance in marathon running, a discipline in which the country has produced multiple world champions and record holders.
Under the global athletics framework of World Athletics, the result is expected to be formally ratified following standard verification procedures, including timing confirmation and anti-doping checks.
As tributes continue to pour in, Sawe’s historic run is being celebrated not only as a personal triumph but also as a defining national moment that has once again placed Kenya at the centre of world athletics.
