Running News Daily

Kenyan marathon sensation Sabastian Sawe has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon because of injury, delivering a major blow to one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year.

The 31-year-old Sawe, the reigning Berlin Marathon champion and marathon world-record holder, was scheduled to return to the German capital on September 27 with hopes of defending the title he won in 2025. However, injury has now ruled him out, bringing an abrupt end to his highly anticipated appearance.

The Berlin Marathon organisers officially confirmed Sawe’s withdrawal through their social media channels, expressing their disappointment at the Kenyan star’s absence and wishing him a full and speedy recovery.

Sawe’s withdrawal is particularly significant because the Berlin Marathon was expected to mark his first official marathon appearance since his historic triumph in London earlier this year. The Kenyan made history at the London Marathon in April by becoming the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon, stopping the clock at an astonishing 1:59:30.

That extraordinary performance elevated Sawe to another level in the sport and made his planned return to Berlin even more eagerly anticipated. Having already conquered the German capital in 2025, he was expected to arrive as both the defending champion and the man at the centre of the marathon world’s attention.

Last year, Sawe produced a superb performance to claim the Berlin Marathon title in 2:02:16, establishing himself as one of the dominant figures on one of the fastest marathon courses in the world. He had hoped to build on that victory this year, but his injury has forced him to abandon those plans.

Sawe expressed his deep disappointment at the withdrawal, revealing that he was leaving the race with a “heavy heart” after hoping to achieve something special on the streets of Berlin. His words reflect just how much the opportunity meant to him as he looked forward to returning to the scene of his previous triumph.

His absence will be a significant blow to the 2026 Berlin Marathon, removing one of the biggest stars from an elite field expected to deliver another memorable race. Sawe’s remarkable speed, endurance and record-breaking credentials had made him one of the main attractions of the event.

For now, the marathon king’s priority will be a full recovery. The athletics world will hope to see the Kenyan star back on the starting line soon, healthy, stronger and ready to add another chapter to an already extraordinary career.

Berlin will have to wait for its champion. But when Sawe returns, the marathon world will be watching. 

Three years after rewriting marathon history on the streets of Berlin, Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa is returning to the German capital with one goal firmly in sight — the world record.

The former world record holder has been confirmed for the 2026 Berlin Marathon, scheduled for September 27, and has already made her intentions clear. Assefa wants to produce another historic performance on the course where she delivered one of the greatest marathon runs ever seen.

"It is a great pleasure for me to return to the streets of Berlin three years after setting my world record here in 2023. I am excited to once again try to break the world record," Assefa said after her participation was announced.

Berlin has long been regarded as the world's fastest marathon course, and few athletes understand that better than Assefa. It was there in 2023 that she stunned the athletics world by clocking a then-world record, cementing her place among the greatest marathon runners of her generation.

Now, the Ethiopian star is preparing for another assault on history.

Armed with a remarkable personal best of 2:11:53, Assefa will attempt to lower the current women's world record of 2:09:56, set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich. Achieving such a feat would require one of the fastest marathon performances ever produced, but Assefa has already shown she possesses the talent, courage and speed to challenge seemingly impossible barriers.

Her quest, however, will be far from straightforward.

The Berlin field is shaping up to be one of the strongest women's marathon line-ups of the year. Joining Assefa on the start line will be fellow Ethiopian and training partner Amane Beriso, a world-class performer capable of matching any pace on her day. Also in the race will be Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru, the defending champion, who returns determined to protect her crown after a commanding victory in Berlin last year.

With three of the world's elite marathoners set to clash, the race promises a fascinating battle between championship experience, tactical intelligence and raw speed.

For Assefa, though, the challenge extends beyond defeating her rivals. The bigger target is the clock.

The Ethiopian has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to thrive on Berlin's flat and fast roads, and her return instantly raises expectations of another historic performance. Marathon fans around the world will be watching closely to see whether she can once again produce a run for the ages.

As the world's best distance runners converge on Berlin this September, the stage is set for another potentially historic afternoon. With a proven record on the course, unmatched ambition, and a world record firmly in her sights, Tigst Assefa arrives not merely to compete, but to challenge the limits of what is possible in women's marathon running. Whether history falls once again remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes will be on Berlin when the gun goes off on September 27.

The marathon world is preparing for another historic chapter after Kenya’s sensation, Sebastian Sawe, officially confirmed his participation in the 2026 Berlin Marathon on 27 September.

The announcement has instantly elevated anticipation for this year’s race, with Berlin once again becoming the centre of global distance running. Widely regarded as one of the fastest marathon courses ever designed, the German capital has witnessed numerous world records over the years — and now the man who shattered the sport’s final barrier is heading there.

Sawe arrives in Berlin carrying the weight of history and the momentum of a career-defining breakthrough. Last month in London, the Kenyan star stunned the athletics world by clocking an astonishing 1:59:30 marathon world record, becoming the first human being ever to run under two hours in an official competitive marathon. It was a performance that completely redefined what was thought possible over 42.195 kilometres. He is determined to defend his title while launching another attack on the marathon world record on Berlin’s famously fast course. The Kenyan superstar is expected to headline one of the most anticipated marathon races in recent memory, with fans and analysts anticipating yet another historic performance as he continues to push the boundaries of human endurance and strengthen his growing legacy in global distance running.

What made the achievement even more extraordinary was the manner in which he delivered it. Sawe did not merely break the previous world record — he demolished psychological boundaries that had stood untouched for generations. His run in London combined ruthless pace, tactical brilliance, and unmatched endurance, transforming the marathon into a new era of possibility.

Now, attention shifts to Berlin.

For decades, the Berlin Marathon has been synonymous with speed. Its flat roads, cool weather, and perfectly engineered course have produced some of the greatest performances in distance-running history. Legends have built their reputations there, records have fallen there, and now Sawe has the opportunity to further cement his legacy on the same streets where marathon greatness has repeatedly been rewritten.

The prospect of the world’s fastest marathoner attacking Berlin’s rapid course is already sending excitement throughout the athletics community. Fans, analysts, and former champions are beginning to ask the same question: can Sebastian Sawe push the marathon even deeper into uncharted territory?

At just the right moment in his career, Sawe appears unstoppable. His rise has been built on discipline, fearless racing, and remarkable consistency, qualities that continue to position Kenya at the summit of global long-distance running. Every appearance now carries historic significance because each race feels capable of producing something never seen before.

Berlin 2026 is no longer just another marathon.

It is shaping into a global sporting spectacle — a collision between the fastest marathon course on earth and the fastest marathon runner in history.