Marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome in Kenya, complete with a water cannon salute on Wednesday for the aircraft he was aboard.
On Thursday, he was awarded $61,000 and a car by the president.
Sawe, the first person to officially break the two-hour barrier in an marathon, was welcomed home by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”
President William Ruto held a more formal welcoming ceremony Thursday, where he described Sawe’s win as “a defining moment in the history of human endurance.”
Sawe gave President Ruto an autographed Adidas Adizero shoe worn during Sunday’s marathon. He also autographed a photo of the moment he broke the world record.
Sawe made history on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.
On
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
