Kenya’s marathon phenom Sabastian Sawe was officially crowned the world’s finest road racer on Sunday night, capturing the prestigious Male Out of Stadium Athlete of the Year award at a glittering World Athletics ceremony in Monaco. The honour caps a meteoric 2025 season that saw the 30-year-old conquer two of the planet's most revered marathons and establish himself as the undisputed heir to Kenya's distance running throne.

This award is more than just a trophy; it is a powerful affirmation of Kenya’s enduring global supremacy in athletics. For a nation where running is a source of immense pride and a viable path out of poverty, Sawe’s triumph resonates deeply, inspiring a new generation to believe that with discipline, anything is possible. His victories are a welcome source of national celebration, reinforcing Kenya's image as a sporting powerhouse on the world stage.

A Season of Unrivaled Dominance

Sawe’s claim to the title was undeniable, built on a foundation of breathtaking speed and tactical brilliance. In April, he seized his first-ever London Marathon title with a blistering time of 2:02:27, a performance of sheer power and control against a world-class field. He didn't stop there. In October, he conquered the famously fast Berlin Marathon, clocking 2:02:16.

These two victories represented the fastest marathon times in the world for 2025, a rare and remarkable feat of consistency at the elite level. The award, decided by a combination of public and World Athletics Council votes, saw Sawe fend off a strong challenge from Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu, who himself had a stellar year by winning the World Championship marathon in Tokyo.

• London Marathon: 2:02:27 (Winner, April 2025)
• Berlin Marathon: 2:02:16 (Winner, October 2025)
• Valencia Marathon Debut (2024): 2:02:05 (Personal Best)

From Humble Beginnings to Global Star

Speaking before the awards, a visibly moved Sawe expressed his gratitude. "I want to thank the world for me being here this year, it's my first time being here. I'm happy being held among the top performance," he noted. "Winning two races a year is not something easy, having that chance to win is a good thing." His journey from Uasin Gishu County to the pinnacle of world athletics is a testament to his relentless work ethic.

His rise has been astonishingly rapid. After a sensational marathon debut in Valencia in late 2024 where he clocked a personal best of 2:02:05, Sawe has now won three of the most competitive marathons in just over a year. His success has brought not just global acclaim but also significant financial reward, with his Berlin victory alone securing him at least €60,000 (approx. KES 9 million).

As the athletics world looks ahead, many are already asking what’s next for Kenya’s new king of the road. Having confirmed he is now a "full marathon man," Sawe's focus will be squarely on the major city races and cementing a legacy worthy of the Kenyan greats who came before him.