A Catholic church in Eldoret, a global hub for long-distance running in Kenya's north Rift Valley, has gained attention after a runner prayed there and subsequently won the London Marathon, breaking a once-thought-impossible record.
Record-Breaking Achievement
Sebastian Sawe, 31, maintained an extraordinary pace to win the April 26 race in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds, becoming the first person to complete the 26.2-mile official marathon in under two hours. His debut marathon in Valencia, Spain, in 2024 saw him finish in 2:02:05. The victory sparked celebrations across Kenya, a nation renowned for dominating middle- and long-distance racing.
Faith and Running
Sawe's win highlighted the deep connection between faith and athletics in Kenya. Many athletes display their Christian faith by making the sign of the cross before and after races. Sawe, a devout Catholic, attended Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in the St. Josephine Bakhita Lower Moiben Parish, Diocese of Eldoret, where he requested prayers.
Rev. Pius Tuwei, the parish priest, said, "When I blessed him, I never thought he would achieve such a global victory. It was a surprise. I was just blessing him like any other athlete." Sawe later told reporters, "Nothing is impossible."
Community and Generosity
Parishioners celebrate Sawe's generosity to the church, a trait possibly inherited from his charitable grandmother. Tuwei noted, "That could have given him a strong foundation on morals, church, and discipline—contributing to his success. Giving back to society holds him to his faith."
In Kenya, many children start running barefoot on rugged paths, and some become world champions. Church leaders say champions often seek blessings from clergy before major races. Eliud Kipchoge, another Kenyan star, has credited his Catholic faith for keeping him focused and disciplined.
Expert Perspectives
Sports analysts attribute Kenyan runners' success to genetics, upbringing, and training. Now, faith is also considered a possible factor. Patrick Makau Musyoki, a former world marathon record holder, said, "For Christian athletes, faith in Jesus Christ drives us. We train hard, but to win and set records, we need faith in God, who gave us the talent."
Brother Colm O'Connell, an Irish missionary and coach known as the "godfather of Kenyan running," acknowledged Sawe's blessing but cautioned, "If blessings guaranteed victory, runners would spend more time in church than on the road. God helps those who help themselves. You have to use your talent." He added that marathon performances will continue to improve with better training, diet, and technology, predicting times of 1:58 and 1:57 in the future.
