\n<\/p>\n
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.<\/b><\/p>\n
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.<\/p>\n
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.<\/p>\n
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.<\/p>\n
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”<\/p>\n
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.<\/p>\n
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05. <\/p>\n
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru – also of Ethiopia – coming third in 2:21:29.<\/p>\n
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n