Nairobi, Kenya – April 29, 2026 – The air at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport crackled with national pride and unbridled excitement on Wednesday, as Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe touched down on home soil just days after etching his name into the history books of long-distance running. The 31-year-old now holds the world marathon record, and made history as the first man ever to complete a marathon in under two hours in an official competitive event.
Sawe crossed the finish line at the 2026 London Marathon this past Sunday with an official time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, smashing the previous world record set by the late Kenyan great Kelvin Kiptum in 2023 by more than a full minute. Even by halfway through the elite race, Sawe was already on track for a historic finish, clocking 1:00:29 at the midpoint. In a display of extraordinary endurance that stunned running fans around the world, he completed the second half of the 42-kilometer course even faster, finishing the final 21 kilometers in just 59 minutes and 1 second.
Wednesday’s homecoming celebration was a testament to how deeply Sawe’s achievement resonated across his home country. His plane, operated by national carrier Kenya Airways, was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute upon taxiing to the gate. Inside the terminal, a throng of journalists, fans, and government officials packed the space, with traditional dancers and musicians performing to welcome the record-holder home. Sawe’s parents traveled six hours from their rural home to be there to greet their son, joining hundreds of cheering supporters. Simeon Sawe, Sebastian’s father, shared ahead of the airport welcome that his son had long held fast to his dream of breaking the world record. “He used to tell me that one day, he was going to break the record. He was so determined and hopeful that he would,” Simeon Sawe said, adding that after the historic race, the family had celebrated so continuously that “my throat still hurts from all the cheering.”
Addressing the gathered crowd at the airport, an emotional Sawe said he had been surprised by the scale of the welcome. “I am happy about this good day, that you came to celebrate with me, I did not expect it,” he told reporters and supporters. Just days after his landmark run, he told the BBC that he already felt ready for what comes next, and remains undefeated in the four marathons he has entered throughout his professional career. When asked about future goals, he said he is already targeting a competition this autumn, and believes he is capable of posting an even faster time in coming months.
The achievement, widely described as the “holy grail” of marathon running, has been a source of national celebration across Kenya. In the coming days, Sawe is scheduled to meet with Kenyan President William Ruto to mark his historic accomplishment.