Why Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from Berlin Marathon

World marathon record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from September’s Berlin Marathon after suffering an injury.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe 31-year-old was scheduled to return to competition at the Sunday, 27 September race in Berlin, his first marathon since making history at the London Marathon in April.Why Lilian Odira has withdrawn from Zurich Diamond LeagueIn an Instagram post on Thursday, 27 August, Sawe revealed the withdrawal, although he did not disclose the nature or extent of the injury.“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that I am forced to withdraw from the Berlin Marathon due to injury. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9915617##I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin,” Sawe wrote.Sawe was expected to be among the biggest attractions in Berlin after his historic performance in London, where he clocked 1:59:30 to become the first man to officially break the mythical two-hour barrier in a marathon.Wanyonyi, Cherotich and Koech lead Kenyan charge at Zurich Diamond LeagueHis performance lowered the world record and cemented his place in athletics history after achieving a feat that had long been considered unattainable.The Berlin Marathon had been seen as another potential opportunity for Sawe to lower his mark, with the famously flat course regarded as one of the fastest marathon routes in the world.##NAJAVA_MECA_9915631##Sawe won the 2025 edition of the race in 2:02:16 despite challenging heat and humidity. He also ran without a pacemaker from the 24-kilometre mark after finding himself alone at the front of the field.His withdrawal comes with the possibility of his world record coming under threat later this year.Kejelcha recaptures world half marathon record as Ethiopians dominate Buenos AiresEthiopian Yomif Kejelcha is scheduled to compete at the Valencia Marathon on December 6, another race renowned for its fast course. Kejelcha finished second behind Sawe in London, clocking 1:59:41 to become the second man to run a marathon under two hours.The Ethiopian has also shown impressive form over the shorter distance, breaking the world half-marathon record on Sunday with a time of 56:51.##NAJAVA_MECA_9915603##While Sawe’s absence will be a major blow to the men’s race in Berlin, the women’s field remains headlined by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa, who previously set the women’s marathon world record in Berlin in 2023.The current women’s world record stands at 2:09:56, set by Kenya’s Ruth Chepng’etich. Chepng’etich is currently serving a doping ban.