Kenya's Sabastian Sawe, the first person to run a competitive marathon in under two hours, arrived home to a state reception, a car, and $62,000 from President William Ruto.

Aircraft saluted on landing

Sabastian Sawe's aircraft received a water cannon salute as it touched down in Nairobi, marking the start of a homecoming Kenya had not staged for a distance runner in living memory. Supporters and family members gathered to receive him at the airport before he was taken to State House.

Ruto rewards the record

President William Ruto presented Sawe with $62,000 and a car at a State House ceremony. Ruto hailed Sawe's achievement as a moment of national pride. Sawe, for his part, said he had not anticipated the scale of the reception.

What he did in London

At the London Marathon, Sawe became the first person to run a competitive marathon in under two hours, breaking the previous world record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum. The barrier had stood as one of distance running's most debated frontiers. On the women's side, Ethiopia's Assefa retained her title at the same event.

Family reaction

Sawe's parents, Emily and Simion Sawe, described the moment they learned of the record. His mother said she jumped around the house when the result came through.

Context

The London breakthrough came days after Kenya's John Korir and Sharon Lokedi won the Boston Marathon on a separately record-breaking day in that race, underlining the dominance of East African runners across the spring marathon calendar.