Kenyan Marathoner Sabastian Sawe to Battle Tanzania’s Simbu for World Athletics’ Out of Stadium Award

Kenyan Marathoner Sabastian Sawe to Battle Tanzania’s Simbu for World Athletics’ Out of Stadium Award

Nairobi, Kenya – The rivalry between Kenya and Tanzania is set to play out on the global athletics stage as marathoners Sabastian Sawe and Alphonce Simbu go head-to-head for the prestigious World Athletics ‘Out of Stadium’ Male Athlete of the Year award. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 18, with the winner set to be crowned in Monaco on Sunday, November 30.

World Athletics confirmed the two East African athletes had been shortlisted following their outstanding performances in marathon events this year. The ‘Out of Stadium’ category, introduced in 2023, recognizes athletes excelling in disciplines traditionally contested outside stadiums, such as marathons and road races. Winners in this category, alongside those in ‘Track’ and ‘Field,’ advance as finalists for the overall World Athlete of the Year titles.

Sawe’s Stellar Season

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe has enjoyed a breakthrough year, cementing his place among the world’s elite marathoners. His victories in two Abbott World Marathon Majors races have made him a strong contender for the award.

On April 27, Sawe stunned the athletics world by winning the London Marathon in 2:02:27, the second-fastest time ever recorded on the course. The achievement was particularly remarkable given it was his debut appearance in London.

Later in the year, on September 21, Sawe stormed to victory at the Boston Marathon, clocking a world-leading time of 2:02:16. He set a blistering pace, passing the halfway mark in 1:00:16 – faster than the split recorded during the previous world record run. Although warm conditions slowed him slightly in the latter stages, his dominant solo effort earned widespread praise.

“Sawe’s performances this season have been nothing short of extraordinary. He has shown consistency, resilience, and the ability to dominate on the biggest stages,” noted a World Athletics statement.

Simbu’s Historic Triumph

Tanzania’s Alphonce Simbu has also made history in 2025, becoming the first Tanzanian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships or Olympic Games. On September 15, he clinched victory in the men’s marathon at the Tokyo World Championships, finishing in 2:09:48.

The race was one of the most dramatic in championship history, with Simbu edging Germany’s Amanal Petros by just 0.03 seconds – the smallest margin ever recorded in a World Championships marathon. The sprint finish inside the stadium was hailed as a defining moment for Tanzanian athletics.

Earlier in the year, Simbu also secured a second-place finish at the Boston Marathon, clocking 2:05:04, further underlining his consistency at the highest level.

“Simbu’s gold medal was historic, not just for Tanzania but for African athletics. His resilience and determination have inspired a new generation of runners,” World Athletics added.

Voting Process

The winner of the ‘Out of Stadium’ award will be determined through a weighted voting system. The World Athletics Council will account for 50 percent of the vote, while the World Athletics family – including member federations, technical officials, and athlete commissions – will contribute 25 percent. The remaining 25 percent will come from public votes cast via social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.

The athlete with the highest combined percentage will be crowned the Male ‘Out of Stadium’ Athlete of the Year.

Conclusion

As anticipation builds ahead of the Monaco ceremony, the contest between Sawe and Simbu symbolizes not only individual excellence but also the growing prominence of East African athletes in global athletics. With both men delivering historic performances in 2025, the award is set to highlight the region’s enduring dominance in marathon running.

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Kenyan Marathoner Sabastian Sawe to Battle Tanzania’s Simbu for World Athletics’ Out of Stadium Award