Kenyan long-distance runner Sabastian Sawe has made global athletics history, and back home in Nandi County, his parents could not be prouder.
On Sunday, Sawe stunned the sporting world after becoming the first athlete to officially run a sub-two-hour marathon, finishing the London Marathon in an astonishing world record time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
The historic moment was watched by millions around the world, but for Sawe’s parents, Simon and Emily, the experience was far more emotional and personal.
At their family home in Kenya’s Nandi County, the atmosphere was filled with tension, excitement and eventually overwhelming joy as they followed their son’s race.
His father, Simon Sawe, admitted that nerves got the better of him during the crucial final stages of the marathon.
“The moment my son moved ahead of the others, I became too nervous,” Simon said.
“I actually walked away before the race ended because I could not handle the pressure. I later watched the replay after hearing the result.”
While Simon could not bring himself to watch the finish live, Sabastian’s mother, Emily, remained glued to the television.
She recalled hearing another one of her sons shouting excitedly as the race reached its conclusion.
“I saw athletes running, but suddenly I heard my son screaming that Sabastian had broken the record,” Emily said.
“We all screamed and jumped with happiness. We were so proud and emotional. I thank God because this is a very special moment for our family.”
Sawe’s achievement did not come as a complete surprise to his family.
Born into a household deeply connected to athletics, the Kenyan star comes from a sporting background. His uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, is a former silver medallist at the 2008 World Championships in Berlin and also represented Uganda at the Olympics.
It was his uncle who reportedly helped introduce Sabastian to professional athletics.
However, according to Emily, signs of Sabastian’s talent were obvious long before he ever became a professional runner.
She revealed that she first noticed his natural speed when he was just four years old.
“When I wanted to bathe him, he would run away and I simply could not catch him,” she said with laughter.
“Even though I was an athlete myself, he was too fast for me. That is when I started telling myself this boy would one day do something special.”
Sabastian, who is the middle child of three siblings, has quickly become one of Kenya’s brightest marathon stars.
His rise has been rapid and impressive.
He announced himself on the world stage in 2024 after winning the Valencia Marathon in his debut over the 42-kilometre distance.
Since then, expectations around him have grown, but his family says success has not changed his personality.
Simon described his son as humble, disciplined and hardworking.
“He is a very respectful young man,” his father said.
“He avoids drama, focuses on his work and always wants to help other people. Honestly, he has become even bigger than me now. I have nothing left to teach him.”
Despite already rewriting marathon history, Sawe reportedly believes he can still go faster.
According to his father, the athlete has already spoken about lowering the record even further.
“Even now, he says this record is not enough,” Simon revealed.
“He believes he can run an even better time.”
Sawe returned to Kenya on Wednesday, where he received a hero’s welcome from fans, officials and fellow athletes.
Celebrations are expected to continue in his hometown, where locals are eagerly waiting to honour their new sporting icon.
For Kenya, Sawe’s victory represents yet another milestone in the country’s rich distance-running legacy.
For his parents, however, it is simply the proudest moment of their lives.
