Kenya’s Berlin Marathon 2025 Double Victory

Kenyan runners Sabastian Sawe and Rosemary Wanjiru achieved a spectacular double victory at the 2025 Berlin Marathon. The event took place on September 21st in the German capital. Both athletes overcame unseasonably warm and humid conditions to secure their wins.

This clean sweep marks a significant triumph for Kenya in one of the world’s major marathon events. According to AFP, their performances solidified the country’s dominance in long-distance running this season.

Sabastian Sawe Powers to Men’s Title With Historic Time

Sabastian Sawe crossed the finish line with an astonishing time of 2:02:16. This performance is now the fastest marathon time recorded in 2025. It also ranks as the ninth-best marathon time in history.

Sawe’s time fell short of the world record. But it confirmed his elite status among global distance runners. Japan’s Akira Akasaki finished a distant second in 2:06:15. Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele took third place with a time of 2:06:57.

Rosemary Wanjiru Seals Hard-Fought Women’s Race

The women’s race provided thrilling drama right to the end. Rosemary Wanjiru claimed her first Berlin title with a time of 2:21:05. She held off a fierce challenge from Ethiopia’s Dera Dida, who finished just three seconds behind.

Wanjiru pushed ahead after the 25-kilometer mark. She then battled extreme fatigue to maintain her lead. Azmera Gebru of Ethiopia completed the podium, finishing third with a time of 2:21:29.

Challenging Weather Conditions Test Elite Runners

The 2025 edition was notably impacted by the weather. Temperatures rose to 25°C with high humidity throughout the race. This forced many athletes to adjust their pacing strategies significantly.

The men’s race began at a record-breaking pace. Sawe’s group was on track for a world record in the first 10 kilometers. The intense heat, however, caused times to slow in the later stages. The difficult conditions were so taxing that the women’s award ceremony was reportedly delayed.

Despite the challenging weather, the 2025 Berlin Marathon ultimately delivered a showcase of elite endurance and thrilling competition. Kenya’s double victory underscores its deep talent pool in the sport of marathon running.

Info at your fingertips

Who won the Berlin Marathon 2025?

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe won the men’s race. His compatriot, Rosemary Wanjiru, won the women’s race.

What were the winning times?

Sabastian Sawe finished in 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 16 seconds. Rosemary Wanjiru won with a time of 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 5 seconds.

How did the weather affect the race?

Unusually warm temperatures of 25°C and high humidity slowed runners in the final stages. The conditions made achieving record times impossible.

Was a world record broken?

No world records were broken this year. The winning times were well outside the current world records for men and women.

Who finished in second place?

Japan’s Akira Akasaki finished second in the men’s race. Ethiopia’s Dera Dida was the women’s runner-up.

Trusted Sources: AFP, The Independent