Kenyan marathon world record holder and fastest runner Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon.

In a statement dated August 27, Sawe clarified that he withdrew from the race due to injury ahead of the September 27 marathon.

Sawe was expected to defend the title he won in Berlin last year and return to the course after making history at the London Marathon earlier this year, clocking 1:59:30.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that I am forced to withdraw from the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon due to injury. I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin and crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate. It was also my wish to give something back to the race and its organizers, who have supported me so much,” Sawe stated.

In his withdrawal confirmation, Sawe thanked his supporters and wished all participants of the Berlin Marathon the best during the race, expressing his hope to race soon.

BMW Berlin Marathon has also confirmed the world record holder’s exit from the race in a press release dated August 27.

Mike Milde, the race director, as well as the SCC Events, the organizers of the marathon, have wished the marathoner a speedy recovery, stating that they are looking forward to welcoming Sawe back into the race upon recovery.

 Sabastian Sawe in Men’s Elite Field

The Kenyan entered the 2026 Berlin Marathon as both the defending champion and the men’s marathon world record holder.

Sawe won the 2025 Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16, establishing his credentials on one of the world’s fastest marathon courses.

He then delivered the performance of his career at the 2026 London Marathon, running 1:59:30 to become the first athlete to officially break the two-hour marathon barrier officially.

Following Sabastian Sawe’s withdrawal, Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay becomes the fastest athlete on the latest men’s elite-entry list.

Geay’s personal best is 2:03:00, which he set in Valencia in 2022.

He is among the leading contenders expected to fight for victory in Berlin and will now face a field without the reigning champion.

Kenya will still be represented by athletes including Erick Sang, who has a 2:04:30 personal best, and Richard Yator, despite Sawe’s exit.

Athletes in the Elite Entries for the 2026 Berlin Marathon

Athlete Country Gender Personal Best
1 Gabriel Geay Tanzania M 2:03:00
2 Getaneh Molla Ethiopia M 2:03:34
3 Guye Adola Ethiopia M 2:03:46
4 Shura Kitata Ethiopia M 2:03:59
5 Dejene Hailu Ethiopia M 2:04:15
6 Erick Sang Kenya M 2:04:30
7 Selemon Barega Ethiopia M 2:05:00
8 Taresa Tolosa Ethiopia M 2:05:17
9 Tadu Abate Ethiopia M 2:05:38
10 Asefa Boki Ethiopia M 2:05:40
11 Kenya Sonota Japan M 2:05:59
12 Tsubasa Ichiyama Japan M 2:06:00
13 Kiyoto Hirabayashi Japan M 2:06:14
14 Yuhei Urano Japan M 2:06:23
15 Hidekazu Hijikata Japan M 2:06:26
16 Yusuke Nishiyama Japan M 2:06:31
17 Naoki Koyama Japan M 2:06:33
18 Andamlak Belihu Ethiopia M 2:06:40
19 Kazuya Nishiyama Japan M 2:06:45
20 Daisuke Uekado Japan M 2:06:54
21 Jie He China M 2:06:57
22 Sebastian Hendel Germany M 2:07:33
23 Shin Kimura Japan M 2:07:34
24 Richard Yator Kenya M 2:07:36
25 Haftom Welday Germany M 2:08:13
26 Aaron Bienenfeld Germany M 2:08:47
27 Johannes Motschmann Germany M 2:10:39
28 Florian von Muschwitz Germany M 2:15:03
29 Jakob Lange Germany M 2:16:43
30 David Gärtlein Germany M 2:18:01
31 Julian Großkopf Germany M 2:18:17
32 Michel Nouguier Germany M 2:20:13
33 Fabian Liebig Germany M 2:21:51
34 Fabian Borggrefe Germany M 2:23:31
35 Silvan Rauscher Germany M —
36 Tigst Assefa Ethiopia F 2:11:53
37 Rosemary Wanjiru Kenya F 2:16:14
38 Bedatu Hirpa Ethiopia F 2:18:27
39 Dera Dida Ethiopia F 2:18:32
40 Zeineba Yimer Ethiopia F 2:18:47
41 Bosena Mulatie Ethiopia F 2:19:00
42 Misgane Alemayehu Ethiopia F 2:19:08
43 Bekelech Gudeta Ethiopia F 2:19:39
44 Evaline Chirchir Kenya F 2:20:33
45 Deshun Zhang China F 2:20:53
46 Gadise Mulu Ethiopia F 2:20:59
47 Eebbisee Addunyaa Ethiopia F 2:21:13
48 Aminet Ahmed Ethiopia F 2:21:24
49 Rika Kaseda Japan F 2:21:55
50 Mao Uesugi Japan F 2:22:11
51 Pascaline Jelagat Kenya F 2:22:44
52 Manon Trapp France F 2:23:38
53 Natsuki Omori Japan F 2:23:45
54 Fatima Gardadi Morocco F 2:24:06
55 Jacqueline Gaughan USA F 2:24:40
56 Rino Goshima Japan F 2:24:44
57 Kodi Kleven USA F 2:24:48
58 Lucy Reid Great Britain F 2:26:37
59 Kristina Hendel Germany F 2:27:29
60 Anna Langerwisch Germany F 2:32:13
61 Thea Heim Germany F 2:33:25
62 Cara Zollenkopf Germany F 2:36:05
63 Esther Pfeiffer Germany F 2:37:00
64 Katja Fischer Germany F 2:40:13
65 Sophia Wunsch Germany F 2:40:49
66 Jule Vetter Germany F

2:42:18
Kenyan marathon world record holder and fastest runner Sabastian Sawe has officially withdrawn from the September 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon.
Sebastian Sawe. PHOTO/ Marathon Athletics