World record holder Sabastian Sawe is set to defend his title at the Berlin Marathon after his history-making 1:59:30 performance in London last month.
Sawe won last year’s race in Berlin in a then world-leading 2:02:16 and will headline the men’s elite field as the fall major marathon season shifts to Germany on September 27. After becoming the first person to officially run under the two-hour barrier in the marathon at the London Marathon on April 26 — and repeating as champion on the course — talk of his next race surfaced almost immediately.
“Many people might be wondering what my goals are this time around,” Sawe said after confirming his return to Berlin. “After my victory in London and my sub-two-hour performance, all I can say is that, as always, I will prepare myself as thoroughly as possible.”
At last year’s race, Sawe was on world record pace around the 30km mark after battling Milkesa Mengesha, who dropped out with 15km remaining. And with the statement win and world lead, Sawe also raised eyebrows by grabbing his third marathon victory in three tries.
In September, a new world world will likely not be his primary mission despite the quick course. The remainder of the elite men’s field has not yet been named but a loaded group is expected to hit the start line and try to prevent Sawe from repeating as champion in another major this year — and target a record.
“With his impressive development over the past months and his historic world record, he has firmly written his name into the history books of marathon running,” Berlin Marathon race director Mark Milde said. “The fact that Sabastian consciously chose to return to Berlin is a great recognition of the global standing of our event and its fast course.”
Meanwhile, the women’s field for Berlin has not been unveiled, but Wanjiru will likely be back for a shot at a second straight title. Last year she opened a massive 25-second gap after blowing past the 30km mark at 1:38:41 in considerably warm conditions. Wanjiru began to fades but held onto her lead and took the win over a distant Dera Dida, who finished second in 2:21:08.
