Kenyan marathoner Sabastian Sawe has been inducted into the Adidas Hall of Fame, marking just the latest achievement in what has been a year of historic firsts for the marathoner, who became the first ever man to record a sub-two-hour marathon. Sawe announced the accolade on Thursday, September 24, saying that he was overwhelmed and humbled to join the ranks of the sport’s most iconic figures.
“I never imagined that at any point in my career or in my life I would be inducted into a Hall of Fame,” said Sawe. “Today I feel incredibly humbled and privileged to be celebrated by Adidas in such a unique way.”
The Kenyan was especially effusive in his praise towards Adidas Chief Executive Officer Bjørn Gulden, and the rest of the executive team at the sports apparel giant.
“To be honoured in the company of Adidas CEO Bjoern Gulden and many others from the Adidas team make this moment even more special,” he said.
Sawe’s induction came alongside that of Ethiopian distance runner Yomif Kejelcha, who finished in second place in London last year, and is also a multiple-time champion at the TCS London Marathon. Sawe said that it was a tremendous honour and a great surprise to be inducted into the Adidas Hall of Fame, and that the experience represented everything he had worked for.
“Being honoured alongside Yomif Kejelcha made the occasion truly memorable. It is a privilege to have my journey, the hard work, the sacrifices and the people who have been part of it recognised in this way,” added Sawe.
The latest award comes after Sawe’s record-breaking TCS London Marathon, which took place 26 April 2026. Having completed the iconic race in 1:59:30, Sawe became the first ever athlete to run a sub-two-hour marathon. The time was officially recognised by World Athletics as a world record, beating the previous record set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The 1:59:30 also marked the fastest ever men’s marathon, according to Guinness World Records.
In addition to Sawe, Kejelcha also ran a sub-two-hour marathon, recording a time of 1:59:41, with Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo taking third with a time of 2:00:28. During the London race, Sawe wore Adidas’ latest innovation, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. The brand announced on Thursday that the TCS London Marathon 2026 was a “landmark day” for the athletics brand, as both Sawe and Kejelcha became the first two men to run a marathon in under two hours – a record-breaking performance that was eligible for certification by the sport’s governing body, the IAAF.
The Adidas Hall of Fame induction marks the latest achievement in a breakthrough year for Sawe, who continues to dominate the men’s marathon scene.
The brand has repeatedly praised Sawe for his record-breaking performances, as well as his contributions to Adidas’ innovation in running technology. This week, the athletics brand unveiled the latest iteration of its top-tier running shoe, the Adizero Adios Pro 5. The latest model features several advancements over its predecessor, the Adizero Adios Pro 3, which Sawe wore during his record-setting performance in London.
For the Kenyan marathoner, the Adidas Hall of Fame induction serves as a type of culmination and validation of his year of historic performances. At the same time, the induction also serves as a reminder that his team and collaborators at Adidas have played a crucial role in his success. As the official record-holder for the fastest marathon ever run, Sawe continues to push the limits of human performance.