Sebastian Sawe is likely to earn more than Ksh 9 million after winning the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 21.
The 30-year-old finished the race in less than 2:02:30, which qualified him for a €30,000 cash prize (about Ksh4.6 million at current currency rates).
Sawe, possibly the best marathoner of all time, proved too strong for his opponents, creating a lead over his nearest competitor by the halfway point, which he completed in 60:16.
Sawe showed no indications of slowing down in the humid Berlin weather, and by the 37-kilometer point, he was virtually alone on the track, with a projected finish time of 2 hours and 2 minutes.
The 30-year-old could afford to slack down near the end but still recorded an excellent time of 2:02:15. The winner of the men’s category in the 2025 Berlin Marathon will get €30,000 (Ksh4,556,700).
Furthermore, the first racer to cross the finish line in sub 2:02:30 will get a €30,000 prize. Sawe received this reward after completing the 42-kilometer marathon in 2:02:15, a world record for 2025.
Athletes in the men’s division were also eligible for an additional €110,000 (Ksh 17.1 million) if they beat the world record time of 2:00:35 established by Kenyan runner, Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Sawe, regrettably, did not accomplish this accomplishment.
However, considering all rewards, Sawe, who has only been running full marathons for two years, is expected to get at least Ksh9 million from the marathon organizers alone.
Sawe’s triumph solidified his standing as one of Kenya’s most promising marathoners, coming months after he won the Valencia marathon in 2:02:05.
LINK: https://x.com/Kenyans/status/1969820168302866664
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