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Sabastian Sawe conquered the Valencia Marathon in style by setting a world lead on his marathon debut on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

He finished the race in 2:02:05, which was just 12 seconds off the fastest-ever debut set by Kelvin Kiptum two years ago and a mark that moves him to fifth on the world all-time list, according to World Athletics.

Meanwhile, the leading men went through the opening 5km in 14:31, and that pace was maintained until the leading pack reached the 10km checkpoint in 29:04 and 15km in 43:39.

The halfway mark was passed in 1:01:17, 42 seconds slower than last year’s split when Lemma set the course record of 2:01:48, according to stats by World Athletics. At the 28 kilometres mark, the leading pack had been reduced to five: Kenya’s Mateiko and Sawe, as well as Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta, Sessay Lemma, and Birhanu Legese. 

At one point Mateiko and Geleta broke away from Sawe and Legese, those pairs separated by 30 metres inside the 32nd kilometre. It was Mateiko who seemed to decide the victory was in his favour shortly afterwards as he became a lonesome leader. The three-time Valencia half marathon podium place finisher had built a five-second gap between Sawe and Geleta.

But Sawe kept fighting, and at the 36th kilometre, when the predicted final time remained at 2:02:35, he finally managed to close in on. The debutant managed to shake off his rivals, Mateiko and Geleta, and upped his pace to the 2:48/2:50 range to gradually extend his lead. By the 40km point he clocked 1:55:42, 20 seconds ahead of Geleta, while a tired Mateiko travelled another 35 seconds in arrears. 

Over the closing kilometres, Sawe went fast and finally finished unopposed in a world-leading performance of 2:02:05, including a 14:06 closing five kilometres.

Sawe speaks

This was another impressive performance given that Sawe has won seven out of his nine half marathon appearances. His two defeats came in Valencia, so Sunday’s performance marks his first victory in the city. 

“Honestly, I had built up very good for this debut and was quite confident of doing well. It’s an amazing day; I’m so happy to be here and win in Valencia, which is so beautiful. 

“I was used to running the half marathon event; I was comfortable during the first half, and then I was close to the helm of the race, and I thought I could go faster, and I just did it. I dedicate this win to the victims of the Valencia floods; I pray for them,” Sawe, whose two halves were timed at 1:01:18 and 1:00:47, said as per World Athletics.