A world record attempt on the streets of Berlin or the chance of the World Cup title in Tokyo? Sabastian Sawe, currently the world’s best marathon runner, has decided. “I am preparing for Berlin,” said the Kenyan.
The 42.195 km route in the capital is considered extremely fast, even a time below the magical brand of two hours seems to be possible on September 21.
Sawe (29), however, holds back with announcements. “It is still too early to speak of a world record. It takes time and clear planning to achieve it,” he said. For a top result in Berlin, however, he sacrifices his World Cup start. The race in Tokyo takes place six days earlier.
The marathon world record is at 2:00.35 hours, set up 2023 in Chicago by Sawes Landsmann Kelvin Kiptum, the 2024 start in a car accident. Sawe set up his best time (2: 02.05) in his marathon debut in December 2024 in Valencia. In April he also won in London in 2: 02.27 hours.
In Berlin, 13 men’s world records have already been achieved, most recently by Eliud Kipchoge 2022, the 2: 01.09 hours are the course record and still the second best time in marathon history.
In 2019, Kipchoge with cruise control engineers in the Vienna Prater ran a time of 1: 59.40 hours, which, however, was not recognized as a world record due to the lack of competition conditions by the World Athletics Association.