Berlin Marathon 2025: Sabastian Sawe on the hunt for a new world record?
In recent days, all eyes have been on Tokyo and the World Athletics Championships. But now it’s time: the marathon season is about to kick off, and it starts with a bang. On Sunday, September 21, the Berlin Marathon will headline the return of the majors. Known as one of the fastest and most prestigious races on the Abbott World Marathon Majors circuit, Berlin promises a spectacular showdown.
For this 51st edition, the elite field features an extraordinary depth: no fewer than ten men with personal bests under 2:05 and six women under 2:19. It’s a density rarely seen in the sport. History may once again be written on the streets of the German capital, which has already been the stage for 13 world records. Among the fastest men lining up, Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe stands out as the one to watch.
| Rosemary Wanjiru and Degitu Azimeraw headline the women’s field
On the women’s side, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru comes in with the fastest personal best of the field, a 2:16:14 clocked in Tokyo in 2024. She will aim to become the first Kenyan woman to win in Berlin since Gladys Cherono in 2018.
Her toughest challengers will likely be Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw (2:17:58), Dera Dida (2:18:32), and Mestawut Fikir (2:18:48), who finished runner-up in Berlin last year before claiming victory at the Paris Marathon in 2024.
Japan will also be strongly represented: Honami Maeda, the national record holder with 2:18:59, is a name to watch. Her presence, along with men’s record holder Kengo Suzuki, underlines Japan’s particular connection to the Berlin Marathon in a country where the marathon holds a national sporting status.
| An extraordinary men’s lineup
It’s no surprise that all eyes will be on Sabastian Sawe. With a stunning debut of 2:02:05 in Valencia in 2024 and a victory in London earlier this year, he enters Berlin as the fastest man in the field and the current World Athletics No. 1 ranked marathoner.
Alongside him, Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha — last year’s Berlin winner in 2:03:17 — and Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay (2:03) bring additional firepower. Add names like Guye Adola, Leul Gebresilase, and Daniel Mateiko, and you get a men’s field stacked with world-class talent.
Japan’s Kengo Suzuki (2:04:56 national record) further reinforces the global reach of this year’s event, marking the first time both Japanese national record holders will compete together in Berlin.
| Hassan Chahdi flying the French flag
For France, attention will turn to Hassan Chahdi, one of the country’s most consistent marathoners in recent years. After a summer spent training at altitude in Font-Romeu and a strong showing at the Mont Ventoux Half Marathon, the Olympian lines up in Berlin with hopes of lowering his personal best of 2:07:30.
| Sabastian Sawe: a world record in sight?
For many observers, Berlin 2025 may be about more than just winning. It could be the stage for another world record. Like the late Kelvin Kiptum before him, Sabastian Sawe is only in his third marathon — and yet his maturity and execution are already remarkable.
His two previous marathons (Valencia 2024 and London 2025) were both defined by perfect negative splits, with the second half faster than the first. That shows not only discipline but also untapped potential. In Spain, he split the half in 1:01:18, then closed with a blazing 1:00:47. In London, he ran 1:01:30 through halfway before finishing with 1:00:57.
To crack the mythical two-hour barrier, the pacing needs to be even more aggressive — something like 1:00:15 at halfway followed by a 59:30 second half. Nearly unimaginable for most, but after what Kiptum achieved in Chicago in 2023, no longer unthinkable. Sawe himself keeps it simple: “Yes, it’s possible.”
His camp shares that quiet confidence. His coach Claudio Berardelli stresses his incredible range: “I haven’t pushed him to his limits yet. You’ll see, there’s much more to come.” His uncle Abraham, a key figure in his life, adds: “He has no fear. He knows his strengths.” For Sawe, there’s no visible pressure — only calm assurance.
| A groundbreaking anti-doping protocol
Beyond performance, Sawe’s team is determined to prove his integrity in a sport where Kenya’s reputation has been shaken by doping scandals. Since late July, in collaboration with the Athletics Integrity Unit, his training camp has implemented an unprecedented protocol: testing every three days.
No elite marathoner has ever been subjected to such frequent controls ahead of a major race. The message is clear: his Berlin bid is 100% clean. For many, it’s also a strong signal that something historic may be about to happen.
All roads now lead to September 21: Berlin, a course steeped in history, that has seen record after record fall. And perhaps this time, Sabastian Sawe — with his talent, composure, and quiet conviction — will be the one to push the limits of what’s humanly possible.
With one of the strongest elite fields ever assembled and runners from across the globe, the 51st Berlin Marathon promises to be unforgettable. While the head-to-head battles will provide the drama, all eyes will ultimately be on Sawe — and on whether his stride can carry him into marathon immortality.
Clément LABORIEUX
Journaliste
