The Berlin course record—2:01:19 by Eliud Kipchoge, the then-world record in 2022—has to be on notice, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility that we’ll see Sawe give his own 1:59:30 a scare. Nine marathon world records have been set in Berlin since 1998, including five by Kenyan men in the last 15 years.

Marathon world records set in Berlin since 2000:

• 🇰🇪 Paul Tergat — 2:04:55 (2003)
• 🇪🇹 Haile Gebrselassie — 2:04:26 (2007)
• 🇪🇹 Haile Gebrselassie — 2:03:59 (2008)
• 🇰🇪 Patrick Makau — 2:03:38 (2011)
• 🇰🇪 Wilson Kipsang — 2:03:23 (2013)
• 🇰🇪 Dennis Kimetto — 2:02:57 (2014)
• 🇰🇪 Eliud Kipchoge — 2:01:39 (2018)
• 🇰🇪 Eliud Kipchoge — 2:01:09 (2022)

Sawe has drawn comparisons to Roger Bannister, whose 1954 sub-four-minute mile shattered the perceived physiological and mental barriers around the distance and opened the floodgates for others. Whether Sawe's run does the same for the two-hour marathon remains to be seen. (You could also argue that Kipchoge's 1:59:40 time trial in Vienna in 2019 instilled that belief in Sawe.)

The day after London, I asked Sawe how many other men he expects to break two hours in the next 12 months. "There are more guys to run faster than yesterday," he said. "I know by the end of this year, we will see a new record."

What Sawe had to say:

“I am very happy to return to the [Berlin Marathon] and to defend my title. Many people may be wondering what my goals are this time round. After coming off my win in London and a sub-two performance, I can only say that, like always, I plan to prepare myself to the best of my ability and to come to Berlin to honor this great event and organisation and to run as well and fast as possible. Then on the day we will see what will happen. I look forward to again experiencing the fantastic atmosphere and crowds that line the course.” (via press release)

Who else will join him in Berlin?

Adidas is the official sportswear partner of the Berlin Marathon, so it's no surprise they're choosing to showcase their biggest marathon star in a setup designed to push him beyond his own world record.

Adidas also sponsors Yomif Kejelcha, who ran 1:59:41 in his marathon debut to finish second in London, but he has yet to be confirmed for Berlin. The sport is fixated on records, but eventually the clock will stop being the story and someone still has to win on the day. It would serve Adidas well to keep pushing the Sawe/Kejelcha rivalry as a focal point of this new era, not just the chase for another number.

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