Kenya gives hero's welcome to marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe

AI Summary

Kenyan marathon runner Sabastian Sawe received a hero's welcome home after breaking the men's marathon world record at the London Marathon with a time of 1:59:30, becoming the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in an official race.

The Hero's Welcome

Marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe has received a hero's welcome home in Kenya, with fans thronging the airport in Nairobi and the country's president giving him cash and a car.

Breaking the Record

Sawe posted the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon time of 1:59:30 when he won the London Marathon on Sunday, shattering one of athletics' most elusive barriers and improving on the previous world record by more than one minute.

The Financial Reward

Kenya's President William Ruto welcomed Sawe at State House and awarded him eight million Kenyan shillings ($62,064) as well as a car.

The Impact on Kenyan Athletics

The 31-year-old was the toast of the nation when he arrived home late on Wednesday and was greeted by jubilant fans and family members. Sawe's achievement has inspired a nation and the world, with President Ruto saying, "You have not only broken a record, you have expanded the horizon of human potential."

The Future Outlook

Sawe said he was proud to have "made a great achievement in life" and was planning to "try and lower the record further." With this achievement, Sawe has set a high bar for future Kenyan athletes and has become a role model for young runners.