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.