Kenyan marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the 2026 Berlin Marathon after suffering an injury that has forced him to halt his preparations for the prestigious race.
The Berlin Marathon organisers announced on Thursday, August 27, 2026, that Sawe will not compete in this year’s event, which is scheduled to take place on September 27, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.
Sawe had been among the leading athletes expected to compete in the race, with fans and athletics followers looking forward to seeing the Kenyan star take on a strong international field.
His withdrawal comes as a major setback after the athlete had been preparing to compete at one of the world’s most prestigious marathon events. Confirming his decision to withdraw, Sawe expressed his disappointment and explained that the injury had left him with no option but to pull out of the competition.
“It is with great disappointment that I have to announce that I am forced to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon due to injury,” Sawe said.
The Kenyan marathoner also expressed his disappointment at missing the event, saying he had been looking forward to returning to Berlin and producing a strong performance in front of athletics fans.
Sawe’s absence is expected to affect the highly anticipated race, given his status as one of the leading marathon runners in the world. His performances in major international competitions have helped establish him among the elite athletes in the sport.
The world record holder has continued to attract significant attention from athletics fans, particularly in Kenya, where marathon running remains one of the country’s strongest sporting disciplines.
However, the injury has forced Sawe to change his plans and concentrate on recovery before returning to competitive action.
At the moment, there is no detailed information regarding the exact nature of Sawe’s injury or how long he is expected to remain away from competition.His decision to withdraw will allow him to focus on his recovery and avoid returning to racing before he is fully fit.
Despite Sawe’s absence, the Berlin Marathon is still expected to feature several leading marathon runners from around the world. The athletes will compete for victory and top positions when the race is held on September 27.
Kenyan athletics fans will now be hoping that Sawe makes a full recovery and returns to competition in good health.
The withdrawal is undoubtedly disappointing for Sawe and his supporters, but his health and recovery will now remain the priority as he prepares for his eventual return to the international marathon circuit.
