BERLIN, Aug 27 — Men’s marathon world record holder Sabastian Sawe will not be able to defend his title at the Berlin Marathon next month after being forced to pull out, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
“It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that I am forced to withdraw from the Berlin marathon due to injury,” the 31-year-old Kenyan wrote on Instagram.
“I had been looking forward to achieving something special on the streets of Berlin.”
Sawe became the first runner to complete the distance in under 2 hours at the London Marathon on April 26 this year, finishing in 1 hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds. He did not disclose what the injury was.
In Berlin last year, Sawe narrowly missed his goal of breaking two hours and had planned to improve on his time on September 27.
Even without the defending men’s champion, Berlin organisers are hoping for records – at least in the women’s race. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa is targeting the women’s world record. — Bernama-dpa
