Sabastian Sawe has taken unprecedented step to avoid doping accusations in his career

Sabastian Sawe, the first person in history to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race, has gone above and beyond to prove his races are clean.

The Kenyan long-distance runner, 29, made history at the London Marathon by clocking a once-unimaginable time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, beating the official world record by more than a minute.

It has been a remarkable journey to the top for Sawe. Back in 2022, he was hired as a pacemaker at the Seville half marathon but instead of just setting the pace, he went on to win with a time of 59 minutes and two seconds.

Since that day, the 29-year-old has gone from strength to strength, winning all four major marathons he has raced – all while taking measures to prove he is clean.

Last year, Sawe and his team approached the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), who head up anti-doping in the sport, and asked them to test him as much as possible ahead of the Berlin Marathon.

In fact, the AIU tested Sawe on 25 occasions in the two months before September's event, with Sawe passing every single one. He went on to post a race-winning time of 2:02:16.

Sabastian Sawe celebrates his record-breaking London Marathon win. Image credit: Getty

Adidas are said to have contributed $50,000 to cover the cost of Sawe’s pre-Berlin testing regime and will continue to do so in the future, according to Lets Run, who claim the cost of a single drug test can run upwards of $2,000, depending on the type of analysis performed.

Brett Clothier, who is the Head of the AIU, is hoping other athletes will follow suit.

“[Marathon runners] are, even at the moment, the highest-tested athletes in the world, and the anti-doping systems we have operating in Sabastian’s country in Kenya is the best testing that’s going on anywhere in the world,” Clothier said.

“That’s the situation, but people are still wanting to do even more if we can, as an industry."

“It’s really encouraging for our sport that this special program has taken place. It’s an athlete that initiated it, supported by his management team and his sponsor."

Clothier added: "We hope it can be an example that spurs even more investment in anti-doping so that the fans can have faith in the outcome of these great races.”

Sawe pictured after his London Marathon victory. Image credit: Getty

Sawe's home nation of Kenya has more than 140 athletes currently suspended by the AIU. The latest London Marathon winner, meanwhile, is trying his absolute best to prove he is as natural as they come.

How much Sabastian Sawe will receive for record-breaking run in London

The winner of each elite race (Men, Women, and Wheelchair) receives a base prize of approximately $55,000 (£40,000), but athletes can significantly increase their earnings if they cross the line in a speedy time.

A bonus worth $125,000 (£92,000) is handed out to those who break a world record, and another sum of $25,000 (£18,500) is given out for breaking the London course record.