Yomif Kejelcha declares readiness to surpass Sabastian Sawe’s record. Yomif Kejelcha, after his historic marathon in London, is confident that he can beat Sabastian Sawe’s result. His team is already preparing a new attempt, and the athlete points out that the limits of human capability remain unexplored.
Ethiopian marathon runner Yomif Kejelcha, who recently broke the two-hour barrier at the London Marathon, has announced his intention to vie for Sebastian Sawe's world record. As reported by AS, Kejelcha finished just 11 seconds behind Sawe, who surpassed Kelvin Kiptum's previous record by 65 seconds. As a result, Kejelcha's time was 54 seconds better than the former world record, and now the athlete is confident he can achieve even more.
Aiming for a new record
In an interview, Kejelcha emphasized that he sees no limits to further progress in the marathon. He stated that the decision on a new record attempt will be made together with his manager, who will choose the optimal race. The athlete himself does not rule out that his next marathon may take place in Spain, where he has competed multiple times and set the world half-marathon record in Valencia.
Kejelcha noted that his relationship with Sebastian Sawe goes beyond athletic rivalry—off the course, they maintain a friendly connection, though during the race each competes for victory. The Ethiopian has plans for another marathon in 2026; the location has not yet been determined, but Valencia holds a special place for him.
Training and support
The Spanish company Santamadre, specializing in sports nutrition, played a key role in Kejelcha's preparation. Eleven months before the London Marathon, the team conducted a comprehensive examination of the athlete in Ethiopia, including monitoring his metrics and regular blood tests. This approach allowed for training and nutrition to be adapted to the specifics of the marathon distance, which became one of the factors behind his success.
During his preparation, Kejelcha faced a tendon injury that put his participation in London in question. However, thanks to treatment, he managed to recover and start the race. The marathon itself was not without setbacks: the athlete missed two bottles of carbohydrates at the 25th and 35th kilometers, which could have affected the final result. According to the team's calculations, the missed 19 grams of carbohydrates could have played a decisive role in the battle for victory, or even allowed for a faster finish in the final kilometers.
Focus on the marathon and new challenges
Kejelcha stated that he is now fully focused on the marathon distance and is training with a load of up to 200 kilometers per week. He emphasizes that a combination of talent, modern technology, nutrition, and well-structured preparation is opening new horizons for athletics. Santamadre, for its part, is already working on a new project: an attempt to help a woman break the 2:10 barrier in the marathon, though the athlete's name has not yet been revealed.
In conclusion, Kejelcha addressed the younger generation in Ethiopia, urging them to believe in themselves and not be afraid to set ambitious goals. According to him, it is willpower and hard work that lead to outstanding achievements, and his example may inspire new athletes.
