World record holder Sabastian Sawe has withdrawn from the Berlin Marathon after picking up an injury, ending his hopes of defending the title he won last year.
Sawe revealed that the setback had disrupted his preparations for the September race, where he had been hoping to deliver another standout performance.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you I am forced to withdraw from the BMW Berlin Marathon due to an injury,” Sawe said.
The Kenyan had been preparing for a return to competition in Berlin after making history earlier this year by becoming the first runner to officially break the two-hour barrier in a marathon.
However, Sawe did not reveal the nature or severity of the injury, leaving fans with limited information about the setback that has ruled him out of the race.
The world record holder had been eager to compete on the streets of Berlin and finish at the iconic Brandenburg Gate, but his ambitions are now on hold.
“I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin and crossing the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate,” Sawe said.
He added, “I want to thank everyone who continues to support me, and I wish all the runners taking part a great race.”
Sawe's withdrawal will be a major disappointment for fans who expected to see the world record holder compete again on one of the fastest marathon courses in the world.
His absence is particularly significant given that he won the Berlin Marathon last year, raising expectations that he would return to defend his crown and chase another memorable performance.
The BMW Berlin Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, in Berlin, Germany, with both the start and finish located near the Brandenburg Gate.
About 55,000 runners are expected to take part, while the elite field had been lined up to feature Sawe alongside women's world record holder Tigst Assefa.
Race weekend will begin with the Marathon Expo on September 24 and 25, followed by the Generali 5K and other events ahead of Sunday's marathon, which is scheduled to start at 7 am.
Among the notable names expected to headline the women's race is Rosemary Wanjiru, the 31-year-old Kenyan star who enters as the defending champion.
Wanjiru also holds the fastest personal best among the women on the start list, with a time of 2:16:14.
