Introduction to the Marathon and Participants
The BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label event, witnessed an impressive display of athletic prowess on September 25, 2025. Kenyan runners Sabastian Sawe and Rosemary Wanjiru emerged victorious in the male and female categories, respectively.
Sabastian Sawe’s Triumph in the Male Race
Sabastian Sawe, a renowned Kenyan marathon runner, showcased his exceptional skills by completing the race in a new world record time of 2:02:16. His solo run, covering the final 17 kilometers, secured him third place among the fastest marathoners in history.
Sawe’s success story began last year when he won the World Half Marathon Championships. His rapid progress in the marathon distance has seen him win three out of three races, including the London Marathon in 2024 with a time of 2:02:05, making him the fastest marathoner of 2024 and fifth-fastest of all time.
Despite facing suspicion due to his rapid times and Kenyan origin, Sawe requested increased anti-doping testing by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) before the race, with his sponsor Adidas covering the additional costs. The AIU conducted at least 25 tests on Sawe in the two months leading up to Berlin.
Sawe outpaced his closest competitor, Japan’s Akira Akasaki, by nearly four minutes, finishing with a time of 2:16:15. Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele claimed third place with a time of 2:06:57.
Rosemary Wanjiru’s Narrow Victory in the Female Race
Rosemary Wanjiru, Sawe’s compatriot, displayed a bold start in the female race but anxiously watched Ethiopia’s Dera Dida close the gap in the final stages. Five out of ten female finishers were Ethiopian, with Azmera Gebru securing third place at 2:21:29, just 11 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Viola Cheptoo.
Fantu Worku of Ethiopia finished fifth with a time of 2:21:57, while Germany’s Fabienne Koenigstein came in sixth with 2:22:17.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who won the 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon? Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe won the male race, while Rosemary Wanjiru claimed victory in the female category.
- What were the winning times? Sabastian Sawe completed the marathon in 2:02:16, setting a new world record. Rosemary Wanjiru crossed the finish line in 2:21:05, narrowly defeating Dera Dida.
- What are Sabastian Sawe’s notable achievements? Sawe has won three marathons in as many races, including the World Half Marathon Championships and London Marathon. He requested increased anti-doping testing before Berlin to dispel suspicions.
- Who finished second in the female race? Ethiopia’s Dera Dida came in second place, just three seconds behind Rosemary Wanjiru.
Race Results
FEMALE:
- Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) – 2:21:05
- Dera Dida (ETH) – 2:21:08
- Azmera Gebru (ETH) – 2:21:29
- Viola Cheptoo (KEN) – 2:21:40
- Fantu Worku (ETH) – 2:21:57
- Fabienne Koenigstein (GER) – 2:22:17
- Degitu Azimeraw (ETH) – 2:23:02
- Domenika Mayer (GER) – 2:23:16
MALE:
- Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – 2:02:16
- Akira Akasaki (JPN) – 2:06:15
- Chimdessa Debele (ETH) – 2:06:57
- Guye Adola (ETH) – 2:07:11
- Yuhei Urano (JPN) – 2:07:35
- Hassan Chahdi (FRA) – 2:07:43
- Shin Kimura (JPN) – 2:08:37
- Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) – 2:09:14
