The Berlin Marathon once again lived up to its fast reputation. Kenya celebrated a clean sweep as Sabastian Sawe won the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru took the women’s title. And in a fun twist, Harry Styles quietly ran the marathon in under three hours—an achievement that had social media buzzing. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what fans are talking about.
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| Image by freepik |
Main Highlights
- Men’s winner: Sabastian Sawe (Kenya) in 2:02:16.
- Women’s winner: Rosemary Wanjiru (Kenya) in 2:21:05.
- Pop star moment: Harry Styles finished in 2:59:13, running under a pseudonym to stay low-key.
Kenya’s Big Day in Berlin
On a day that was warmer than ideal, both Kenyan stars delivered. Sawe made an early move, built a huge lead by halfway, and never looked back. He topped a deep field to seal another major marathon victory for Kenya. Behind him, Japan’s Akira Akasaki took second in 2:06:15 and Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele earned third in 2:06:57.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru showed strong control through the middle miles. Ethiopia’s Dera Dida charged hard late, but Wanjiru held firm to win by three seconds—2:21:05 to 2:21:08. Azmera Gebru completed the podium in 2:21:29. It was a tight, thrilling finish that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Berlin Marathon 2025 is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is known for its flat, fast course. A Kenyan sweep on this stage underscores the country’s deep strength in marathon running and keeps the spotlight on East Africa’s training systems and depth of talent.
Harry Styles’ Sub-3: The Celebrity Side Story
Even with world-class winners up front, a pop-culture twist grabbed attention. Harry Styles completed the race in 2:59:13—below the coveted three-hour barrier—and did it while registered under the alias “Sted Sarandos.” Organizers confirmed he was part of the field, which featured roughly 55,000 runners on Berlin’s famously speedy streets.
For everyday runners, a sub-3 is a major milestone. Coaches often point to it as a benchmark that signals consistent training, smart pacing, and months of long runs. Curious what helped? Reports note he kept things low-key, wore racing shoes built for speed, and focused on the task—not the cameras. (Yes, he laced up modern “supershoes,” similar to the Nike Alphafly 3 often seen at big-city marathons.)
What Does “Sub-3” Really Mean?
Breaking three hours in a marathon equals averaging about 6.50 per mile (4.15km/h) for 26.2 miles(42 km). It’s not world-elite territory, but it’s well beyond casual running. It requires steady training, smart fueling, and the mental grit to push when the legs say “no.” So when a global music star hits that mark on a day with warm conditions, it turns heads—both in the running world and outside it.
How the Races Unfolded
Men’s race: Sawe attacked early, separating with the pacers and opening a gap that only grew. By the finish, he had a comfortable cushion and stopped the clock at 2:02:16, one of the season’s standout times. Akasaki and Debele rounded out the podium.
Women’s race: Wanjiru held steady through halfway, then surged to build a lead. Dida’s late push narrowed it to three seconds, but Wanjiru had just enough left to win Berlin in 2:21:05. Gebru’s strong run secured third. The margin shows how fine the line can be at the top level—small moves in the middle miles can decide big races.
Key Takeaways
- Kenya sweep: Sawe and Wanjiru give Kenya a banner day at the Berlin Marathon 2025.
- Close finish: Only three seconds separated first and second in the women’s race.
- Celebrity watch: Harry Styles’ sub-3, done under an alias, added mainstream buzz to a world-class running event.
What’s Next?
With Berlin wrapped, attention shifts to the rest of the fall marathon calendar and how these results shape the season’s rankings. For Sawe and Wanjiru, Berlin strengthens their place among the elite. For fans, it’s a reminder of why the sport is so compelling: fast times, bold tactics, and a few surprises along the way. And for anyone inspired by Harry’s run—maybe it’s time to set your own goal. Could a personal best be waiting on your next start line?
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