Sabastian Sawe crosses the finish line. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Sawe wins Berlin Marathon

Kenyan Sabastian Sawe won one of the warmest Berlin Marathons, but clearly missed the world record.

September 21, 2025

From: dpa

The 30-year-old Sawe won the 51st edition of the race in a world-best time of 2:02:16 hours, but had to pay tribute to the conditions on the second half of the course. With temperatures reaching up to 25 degrees Celsius and humidity, the 42,195 kilometers were an enormous challenge even for the best.

Sawe ultimately failed to match the course record set by Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion from Kenya who stormed to the then world record three years ago in 2:01:09. In 2023, Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who died in a car accident in February 2024, improved on that mark in Chicago with a time of 2:00:35.

But still fastest time of the year

Ultimately, Sawe remained just above his own personal best, but improved on his own world best from his success in London. He will receive a total of €60.000 for his victory and as a bonus for his time. "I'm just really happy; that was a great performance," Sawe told RTL. "Of course, you can't change the weather."

The weather prevented a top time. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

A surprise second place went to Japanese Akira Akasaki (2:06:15), almost four minutes behind, ahead of Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele (2:06:57). The best German was Hendrik Pfeiffer, who was not nominated for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, in eighth place. However, with a time of 2:09:14, Pfeiffer missed the target of 2:07.

Close decision for the women

The fastest woman was favorite Rosemary Wanjiru from Kenya in 2:21:05. Wanjiru, who had clearly led for a long time, ultimately managed to hold on to a three-second lead over Ethiopian Dera Dida as she crossed the finish line near the Brandenburg Gate. Azmera Gebru from Ethiopia finished third (2:21:29). Fabienne Königstein ran a strong race in sixth place (2:22:17).

Wanjiru won the women's event. © APA/afp / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

"I think we presented ourselves really well as Germans," said Pfeiffer. "I'm incredibly happy." A total of 55.146 runners registered for the race.

Sawe has to run alone from kilometer 23

Immediately after the starting signal from Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU), Sawe, last year's winner Milkesa Mengesha from Ethiopia, and Gabriel Geay from Tanzania broke away from the rest of the field. At 18 degrees Celsius, it was already quite warm at the start at 9:15 a.m., with humidity around 80 percent. Nevertheless, the pacesetters were moving at a world-record pace.
Sawe, who had long been the sole leader, passed the half marathon mark together with two remaining pacemakers as planned in 1:00:15. But after just 23 kilometers, Sawe was on his own.