Sawe, 30, produced an outstanding performance to claim victory in the men’s race, clocking 2:02:15.
His pace was relentless, and by the halfway mark he had already broken away from the pack, finishing the 42-kilometre race almost unchallenged.
The win not only cemented his place among the best marathoners in the world but also came with a huge financial reward.
Sawe walked away with over Ksh9 million in prize money and bonuses.
The organisers awarded him €30,000 (about Ksh4.6 million) for his win, plus another €30,000 bonus for completing the race under 2:02:30.
Although he missed out on the €110,000 prize reserved for breaking the world record, his time was still among the fastest in marathon history.
Sawe has quickly risen to become one of Kenya’s brightest marathon talents. His Berlin win follows a remarkable run at the 2024 Valencia Marathon, where he clocked 2:02:05.
Athletics analysts say his consistency proves he is ready to carry Kenya’s rich marathon legacy forward, following in the footsteps of legends such as Eliud Kipchoge and the late Kelvin Kiptum.
In the women’s category, Rosemary Wanjiru also made history by winning in 2:21:04.
Her victory was special as it marked the first time in seven years that a Kenyan woman has triumphed in Berlin. Wanjiru received €30,000 (about Ksh4.6 million) in prize money.
Although she narrowly missed the bonus that required a sub-2:16 finish, her performance still placed her firmly among the elite women marathoners in the world.
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