Eliud Kipchoge Names Sabastian Sawe & Jacob Kiplimo As His Heirs

Kwa Ufupi

• As Eliud exit the marathon scene, amename two athletes wenye watatake after him
• Hawa ni Sabastian Sawe & Jacob Kiplimo
• Kwa maoni yake amesema hawa wanauwezo wa kubreak the 2-hour marathon barrier

Eliud Kipchoge has unveiled the two runners he believes are best positioned to continue his mission of officially breaking the two-hour marathon barrier.

As the marathon legend prepares to step back from elite competition, he has identified Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo as the athletes most likely to achieve what has long been considered the ultimate distance running milestone.

The sub-two-hour marathon quest remains one of the sport’s most captivating challenges. Kipchoge himself came closest to achieving it under controlled conditions when he famously clocked 1:59:40 during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna on October 12, 2019. Though the effort was not officially recognized due to pacing and setup factors, it cemented his place in history as the first man to run 26.2 miles in under two hours.

The late Kelvin Kiptum later brought the dream closer to reality in an official race, setting the world record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, leaving the world waiting for who might finally dip under two hours.

Kipchoge Endorses Sabastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo as His Successors

Now, the five-time Berlin Marathon winner believes the next generation is ready to carry on his legacy.

“I think the two guys are good at the moment, and I believe I have left the sport in good hands,” Kipchoge said in an interview with LetsRun.com. “Step by step, they will break the record and run sub-two hours.”

At 29 years old, Sabastian Sawe made an incredible marathon debut in Valencia last December, running 2:02:05, the second-fastest debut in history, only behind Kiptum’s 2:01:53 on the same course in 2022. He has maintained top form this season, winning the London Marathon in 2:02:27 before clocking 2:02:16 in Berlin later in the year.

Meanwhile, Jacob Kiplimo, already known for his half-marathon dominance, began his marathon journey strongly with a 2:03:37 finish in London, where he placed second. He improved in Chicago, recording 2:02:23 in pursuit of Kiptum’s record.

Kipchoge’s Advice for the Next Sub-Two Contenders

A two-time Olympic champion and former world record holder, Kipchoge advised patience and discipline for those aiming to break the barrier.

“It needs time; they need to grow in a good way. But they are ready,” he emphasized.

Kipchoge has repeatedly rewritten marathon history. He first broke the world record in Berlin (2018) with 2:01:39, then lowered it to 2:01:09 four years later, before Kiptum eventually surpassed it in Chicago.

Beyond records, Kipchoge used the opportunity to highlight the importance of clean sport.

“Let’s not use other methods to prove you are talented. That is wrong,” he cautioned. “If all of us embrace integrity at the highest level, we can truly enjoy this sport. Many people love and follow us, let’s compete fairly and cleanly.”

With Kipchoge’s blessing and their growing consistency, both Sabastian Sawe and Jacob Kiplimo appear destined to continue his mission. For Sawe, who has often spoken about his dream of breaking the two-hour barrier, Kipchoge’s endorsement might just be the push he needs to make history.