The 51st edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon has once again placed Kenya on the world map of athletics as Sebastian Sawe and Rosemary Wanjiru produced remarkable performances to claim victory in both the men’s and women’s races.
The afternoon event saw the two runners overcome stiff competition, tough weather, and immense pressure to prove once again that Kenya remains the home of long-distance champions.
Sebastian Sawe ran a powerful race to secure the men’s title, crossing the finish line in 2:02:15. Although his time was slightly outside his personal best of 2:02:05 set in Valencia in 2024 during his debut, his victory was convincing.
Sawe maintained strong pace throughout the race and opened a wide gap from his challengers, leaving Japanese runner Akasaki Akira to finish second with a distant 2:06:15.
Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele came in third with 2:06:57.
With this victory, Sawe now stands as the fifth-fastest man in marathon history, ranking behind Kelvin Kiptum, Eliud Kipchoge with his 2:01:09 record, Kenenisa Bekele at 2:01:41, and Sisay Lemma who clocked 2:01:48.
On the women’s side, Rosemary Wanjiru delivered an equally historic performance. She clocked 2:21:05 to end Ethiopia’s seven-year dominance at the London Marathon.
Her victory was not without resistance as Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed closely at 2:21:08, while Azmera Gebru secured third place in 2:21:29.
Kenya’s Viola Cheptoo narrowly missed the podium but delivered a strong race, finishing fourth in 2:21:40.
Wanjiru’s triumph highlighted her resilience and ability to perform under pressure, especially in a field stacked with experienced Ethiopian competitors who have long controlled the women’s race in London.
Both athletes battled hot and humid conditions, which made the course more demanding than usual.
Their determination and consistency shone through as they pushed past the challenges to lift Kenya’s flag high.
For many fans and analysts, this double win further cements Kenya’s reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of marathon running.
The victories also come at a delicate time when Kenya’s athletics reputation has been questioned due to doping scandals involving some athletes.
However, Sawe has been vocal about his stance on the issue.
Together with his sponsor Adidas, he has remained open to testing, insisting that he is a clean athlete and determined to prove that not all Kenyans are associated with cheating. His approach sends a strong message that Kenya still produces genuine champions who win on merit, hard work, and discipline.
The 51st BMW Berlin Marathon will be remembered as a special edition for Kenya, not just for the impressive wins by Sawe and Wanjiru, but also for restoring pride in the country’s athletics. Their achievements serve as proof that Kenyan athletes continue to inspire the world with unmatched endurance, determination, and excellence in long-distance running.
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