When Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon under two hours seven years ago, it caused an explosion of national pride in his home country, Kenya, the culmination of more than half a century of distance running dominance.
But there was an asterisk.
Mr Kipchoge ran without competition and with a pacemaker, so it was not recognized as an official record. Now this milestone has been broken without any asterisk and, once again, it has been done by a Kenyan.
Sebastien Savay came a full 30 seconds short of that unimaginable hurdle at the London Marathon on Sunday. He broke the world record set by a Kenyan by more than a minute. The response in Kenya has been enthusiastic.
“This is more than a victory; this is a defining moment,” Kenyan President William Ruto said in a post on Twitter.
Nowhere was this achievement more echoed than in the Rift Valley, where Kenya has produced many champions. Runners from all over the world travel to the region to train, part of a geographical feature that bisects the country from north to south, seeking to take advantage of the high altitude and the chance to train among the best of the best.
To make the point, Iten, a town in the Rift Valley famous for high-altitude training, welcomes visitors with an arch along the main road declaring it the “Home of Champions”.
Scores of runners and fans gathered at sports clubs and restaurants in Iten to watch the race on Sunday. As Mr. Savay approached the finish line, he jumped and screamed with joy. Among the crowd cheering was John Korir, who won the 2026 Boston Marathon and lives near Iten.
When he saw Mr. Sawe trying to hold off an Ethiopian rival at the end of the race, Mr. Korir said he was filled with national pride. “I didn’t want it to go to Ethiopia,” he said in an interview after returning from the United States. “I wanted it to stay in Kenya.”
Mr. Savay’s finish of less than two hours has inspired him, Mr. Korir said. “I felt like I was the only one who could do that,” he said. “For now, it’s Savage’s time. I think my time will come soon.”
Mr. Sawe trains in the town of Kapsabet, about 40 miles southwest of Iten, but is considered a local hero.
Kenya’s emergence as a global running power effectively began in 1968, when its athletes won gold medals in the 1,500 m and 10,000 m events and the 3,000 m steeplechase at the Mexico City Olympics. Since then, the country has maintained its dominance in women’s as well as men’s competitions.
The promise of success, money and accolades is attracting wave after wave of aspiring Kenyan athletes. Some aim to compete on the national team. Others look to the lucrative marathons and half marathons held around the world. For others, the motivation is the possibility of a scholarship abroad.
Lenyas Kiptu, 21, who trains in Iten, said he thought someone would eventually break the two-hour barrier, but he didn’t expect it to come this year and so strongly.
Mr. Savay’s conduct after the race particularly impressed him. He appeared “relaxed and calm” and did not appear tired, Mr Kiptu said. A few hours later, Mr. Kiptu searched online for more information about Mr. Savay in order to improve his own 1,500 meters performance.
Mr. Kiptu said his personal best time is 3:52, but he must run a time of 3:47 to be eligible for a scholarship to attend college in the United States. Mr. Kiptu read that it took Mr. Sawe about six years to reach that level. “I need to give myself some time and work harder,” he said.
