The suspension of female marathon record holder Ruth Chepngetich for doping has sparked new skepticism about Kenyan athletics. With over 140 athletes disciplined for doping, every major achievement by the country's runners is scrutinized.
Against this backdrop, Sawe chose to confront the issue directly, voluntarily participating in an unprecedented rigorous testing program. According to his agent on LetsRun.com, Sawe underwent 25 doping tests in just two months.
The Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) conducted the testing program with higher frequency than usual. Many tests occurred at inconvenient times, such as early mornings before training, and even two times on the same day.
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Sabastian Sawe crosses the finish line first at the Berlin Marathon on 21/9/2025. *Photo: AP*
Pressure mounted on Sawe leading up to the Berlin Marathon 2025, where he needed not only to win but also to convince the public. He succeeded. Sawe won decisively with a time of 2 hours 2 minutes 16 seconds, finishing nearly four minutes ahead of his closest competitor (Akiri Akasaki placed second with 2 hours 6 minutes 15 seconds).
"I want to prove that Kenyan athletes can achieve great results without being overshadowed by doping," the 30-year-old runner said after his Berlin victory.
Sawe's actions quickly made an impact. Some elite athletes expressed interest in a similar testing model. However, cost is a significant barrier: each test can exceed 2,000 USD, and a program like Sawe's requires substantial financial resources, primarily relying on sponsorship.
Sabastian Sawe crosses the finish line first at the London Marathon 2025.
In 2026, Sawe continues enhanced testing while setting his sights on a major goal at the London Marathon on 26/4. There, he will compete against top rivals, including half marathon record holder Jacob Kiplimo and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, with the ambition of breaking the world record.
Canadian Running Magazine described this as the strongest elite field at a major event since the late Kelvin Kiptum's world record of 2 hours 0 minutes 35 seconds at the Chicago Marathon in 2023, raising hopes for a new historic breakthrough.
Ahead of the London event, Sawe admitted that skepticism has not ended. "I cannot control every word, but I can prove myself by competing," the Kenyan athlete stated.
Sawe also trains diligently for his record-breaking goal, accumulating approximately 230 km per week, similar to his preparation for the Berlin Marathon 2025. "The important thing is that I must be ready for the race. Over time, achievements will come," he told Independent at the time.
Hong Duy (according to Mundo Deportivo)
