NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) 鈥� Marathon record-breaker received a hero’s welcome in Kenya, complete with a water cannon salute on Wednesday for the aircraft he was aboard.
On Thursday, he was awarded $61,000 and a car by the president.
Sawe, the first person to officially break the two-hour barrier in an marathon, was welcomed home by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as 鈥渁 win for Kenya.鈥�
President William Ruto held a more formal welcoming ceremony Thursday, where he described Sawe’s win as 鈥渁 defining moment in the history of human endurance.鈥�
Sawe gave President Ruto an autographed Adidas Adizero shoe worn during Sunday鈥檚 marathon. He also autographed a photo of the moment he broke the world record.
Sawe made on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men鈥檚 world record by 65 seconds.
On arrival Wednesday at Nairobi鈥檚 Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told The Associated Press he was proud to have 鈥渕ade a great achievement in life鈥� and was planning to 鈥渢ry and lower the record further.鈥�
He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolize victory.
Traditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the 鈥渉eroic welcome鈥� hailed by the sports minister.
Sawe’s parents told The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child. His mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.
鈥淗e would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,鈥� Emily Sawe said.
His father recounted some tension watching Sunday鈥檚 marathon because of the television lacked a clear signal.
鈥淭he moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn鈥檛 see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,鈥� Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.
Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London .
His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: 鈥淓ven now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”
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