Sabastian Sawe wins men's London marathon
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 27.04.25. | 13:49
24-year-old Jacob Kiplimo finished second, 70 seconds behind Sawe, while defending champion Mutiso Munyao edged Abdi Nageeye for third in a photo finish while four-time champion Eliud Kipchoge finished sixth
Sabastian Sawe wrote his name into marathon history on Sunday with a commanding victory at the 2025 London Marathon, clocking an impressive 2:02:27 to capture the men’s title in style.
The 29-year-old Kenyan, who has steadily risen through the ranks of world distance running, seized control of the race in bold fashion after a tense, tactical first half.
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
His winning time was one minute and 33 seconds faster than the mark set by his compatriot Alexander Mutiso Munyao in 2024.
Behind him, 24-year-old Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda battled hard to take second, finishing 70 seconds adrift.
Defending champion Mutiso Munyao salvaged third in a dramatic photo finish against Dutchman Abdi Nageeye, while marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, chasing a record-extending fifth London title, crossed the line in sixth place.
At halfway, the lead pack — including Kipchoge, Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, Kiplimo, and Sawe — reached 1:01:30, a pace suggesting that any world record ambitions would have to wait. Yet the fireworks were still to come.
Approaching the 90-minute mark, Kipchoge — so often the master of this race — was the first big name to crack.
It was at the next drinks station that Sawe made the move that would define the day. As the others reached for their bottles, Sawe surged, opting not to drink — and in doing so, stealing a vital gap on the group.
Caught towards the back, Kiplimo was slow to respond. Though he chased bravely, the damage had been done.
Sawe, looking fresh and composed, never faltered from that point on. Alone through the final miles, he powered up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace, arms wide as he broke the tape — a portrait of quiet triumph.
It marked another major milestone in Sawe’s rapidly rising career. Born on March 16, 1996, he first caught global attention in 2023, claiming gold at the inaugural World Road Running Championships in Riga.
That same year, he helped Kenya to team gold at the World Cross Country Championships in Bathurst.
Sawe's transition to the marathon has been nothing short of electric. He announced himself with a stunning 2:02:05 debut in Valencia in 2024, the fifth-fastest marathon time in history, and has since continued to sharpen his craft, training alongside elite compatriots like Benson Kipruto and Evans Chebet in Kapsabet.
2:02:27 – Sebastian Sawe wins the 2025 London Marathon and dominates a world-class field!
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) April 27, 2025
Covered 30K to 35K in 13:56 for a crushing blow. Clocked a 4:18 at Mile 20.
This dude is the real deal. This was his first World Marathon Majors victory after his debut and win last… pic.twitter.com/NnqshGTlcK
Logging upwards of 200 kilometers per week in preparation for London, Sawe combined natural speed — evidenced by his 58:05 half-marathon best and 26:49 10K — with marathon-hardened stamina. On Sunday, it all came together.
With his London triumph, Sawe has not just claimed a major marathon title — he has announced himself as the future of distance running. If this performance is any indication, the best is yet to come.
