Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the upcoming Berlin Marathon due to an injury, ending his hopes for another sub-two-hour marathon attempt. Scheduled to defend his title on September 27, Sawe was returning to competition after setting a new world record of 1:59:30 in London this past April.

The 31-year-old Kenyan was expected to potentially improve his record on the fast Berlin course, known for its ideal marathon conditions. However, an unspecified injury has prevented him from participating.

In his statement, Sawe expressed his disappointment:

“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you I am forced to withdraw from the BMW Berlin Marathon due to an injury. I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin and crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate.”
He also extended his gratitude to his supporters and wished the best for the other participants.

Sawe made history as the first runner to officially complete a marathon in under two hours, with runner-up Yomif Kejelcha also achieving this remarkable feat.

In Sawe’s absence, the Berlin Marathon will feature a strong women’s field, highlighted by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, who set a world record in the same city in 2023.