In a landmark event at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto officially celebrated marathoner Sebastian Sawe for his extraordinary accomplishment in the London Marathon. President Ruto bestowed an award of Ksh8 million upon Sawe, recognizing his record-shattering performance where he became the first individual to complete a competitive marathon in under two hours.

Sawe's feat, achieved on Sunday with an official time of 01:59:30, captivated the world. This mark was set under rigorous official competitive conditions, distinguishing it from prior exhibition attempts and firmly establishing Sawe as the fastest marathoner in history. During the reception, President Ruto lauded the achievement, stating, "We are here to celebrate a historic achievement of what a human being can achieve." He further emphasized, "Your return to London and setting a new record confirms one enduring truth: you were destined for greatness."

The President highlighted that Sawe’s triumph not only marked a personal milestone but also perpetuated Kenya's longstanding dominance in global athletics. He extended appreciation to Sawe’s teammates, acknowledging their potential role in pushing the boundaries of human endurance. Key details of Sawe's achievement include his official time of 01:59:30, the milestone of being the first man to run a sub-2 hour marathon in a sanctioned competitive race, and the reward of Ksh8 million from the Kenyan government. By successfully breaking the formidable "sub-two" barrier, Sawe has fundamentally rewritten the record books and solidified Kenya’s esteemed position as the undisputed powerhouse of long-distance running.