'I did not expect it': Kenya's Sabastian Sawe welcomed home with jubilant celebrations

The first man to run a marathon in under two hours in a competitive race received a hero's welcome from supporters and family when he arrived home. Kenya's Sabastian Sawe welcomed home in chaotic celebrations Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Kenyan World Marathon Record holder Sabastian Sawe (C) speaks during a press conference after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya, 29 April 2026. Kenyan World Marathon Record holder Sabastian Sawe smiles with wreaths laid around his neck. 'I did not expect it': Kenya's Sabastian Sawe welcomed home with jubilant celebrations Kenya's Sebastian Sawe has returned home to joyous scenes after becoming the first man to run a marathon in under two hours in competitive race conditions. His incredible achievement at the London Marathon on Sunday is being celebrated in Kenya, where officials welcomed him home in the midst of a crush of cameras at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the capital Nairobi. His parents were also present to greet him, days after he achieved the holy grail of marathon running by becoming the first man to finish under two hours with an official time of 01:59:30. "I am happy about this good day, that you came to celebrate with me, I did not expect it," Sawe told the crowd. Sawe's parents drove six hours from their home to be there with his supporters when he landed. The Kenyan Airways plane on which Sawe flew home was given a water cannon salute when it arrived, as dancers and musicians performed. The homecoming was a huge moment for Sawe and his family, and also for the country. Speaking from the family home before going to the airport, Sawe's father Simeon Sawe said: "He used to tell me that one day, he was going to break the record. He was so determined and hopeful that he would." "I am happy for him and all of us here. We celebrated so much, my throat still hurts from all the cheering," he added. Sawe is expected to meet Kenya's President William Ruto. Kenyan dancers wearing bight costumes adorned with feathers smile broadly as they perform under a dark night sky. The 31-year-old's run was more than one minute faster than the late Kelvin Kiptum's previous record of 2:00:35, which was set in 2023. Sawe was on already on pace to defeat the record as he crossed the halfway mark in 1:00:29, and managed to run the second half of the race even faster in just 59:01. "I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me," he told the BBC after the race. Sawe, who has won all four marathons he has entered, is already talking about his next competition in the autumn, saying he believes he can run an even faster time. A dense crowd of thousands of runners in colourful athletic gear fills a wide city street during the 2026 London Marathon. Record breakers and finish line proposals: London Marathon in pictures Sabastian Sawe breaks the marathon world record Sawe smashes two-hour mark to 'move goalposts for marathon running' BBC reports from Kenya, home to Sabastian Sawe, the first man to run a marathon in under two hours. The mountain bongo is a rare antelope endemic to Kenyan highland forests, with less than 100 in the wild. He says his words were intended to be a private conversation and were "taken out of context". Matt Batchelor now holds the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a 3D Toy. Emily and Simion Sawe share their pride at the runner's historic sub-two-hour marathon win. Clair Martin says she wanted to raise money for the Samaritans, who she credits with saving her life. Gabriella Booth says her "legs went" as she neared the line but still finished sub-three hours. Mark Peart completed the race in just over three hours, despite wearing full firefighting kit.