The Berlin Marathon once again lived up to its reputation as the world’s fastest and most electrifying 26.2-mile race, drawing a staggering 55,000 runners to the German capital’s streets on Sunday, September 21, 2025. While elite athletes chased records and glory, a surprise pop culture twist added even more buzz to the event. Kenyan running star Sabastian Sawe delivered a commanding performance to secure his third consecutive marathon victory with a time of 2:02:16, while English singer Harry Styles, running under a pseudonym, stunned fans by crossing the finish line in under three hours.
On a day when humidity clung to the air, Sawe set out with unmistakable intent, eager to challenge the world record set by fellow Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum. The Berlin course, famed for its flat profile and history of record-breaking times, seemed the perfect stage. Sawe, a previous London marathon champion, blazed through the opening miles, buoyed by the cheers of thousands lining the route. “I wanted to push the pace early and see what was possible,” Sawe later reflected, according to race officials. But as the kilometers ticked by and his final pacemaker peeled away, the humid conditions began to exact their toll. Despite his aggressive start, Sawe’s stride faltered just enough to keep Kiptum’s 2:00:35 record out of reach.
Still, there was no catching Sawe. He stormed home more than three minutes clear of the field, cementing his status as the sport’s newest marathon sensation. “This is my third marathon win in a row, and Berlin is always special,” Sawe said, beaming at the finish. “The support from the crowds and the atmosphere here are incredible.”
Japan’s Akira Akasaki delivered one of the day’s biggest surprises, surging in the latter stages to claim second place. Akasaki’s time, nearly four minutes behind Sawe, underscored just how dominant the Kenyan’s run was. Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele completed the men’s podium, rounding out a field that saw East African runners once again at the forefront of world marathon racing.
The women’s race unfolded with its own drama. Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru and Ethiopia’s Dera Dida battled stride for stride in the final meters, with Wanjiru narrowly edging out Dida by a mere three seconds. The finish left spectators breathless, a testament to the fierce competition that Berlin reliably produces. “I knew it would come down to the wire,” Wanjiru commented after the race. “I just tried to stay focused and give everything I had.”
But it wasn’t just the professionals making headlines. Among the thousands of determined amateurs was a face more familiar to global pop charts than marathon leaderboards: Harry Styles. The 31-year-old former One Direction star and Grammy-winning solo artist took on the Berlin Marathon challenge, running incognito as ‘Sted Sarandos’ and sporting a headband and sunglasses. Styles, who had been spotted training in Berlin in the days leading up to the race, completed the course in an impressive 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds—a coveted sub-three hour finish that many seasoned marathoners spend years pursuing.
For Styles, the achievement was more than a personal milestone; it was a statement of grit and determination. Fans and fellow runners alike were abuzz when news broke of his participation and finish time. At the finish line, Styles posed for a photo with Richard Whitehead, the two-time Paralympic gold medalist over 200 meters. Whitehead, who is on a mission to run 20 marathons in 2025, shared the moment on Instagram, further fueling the day’s social media frenzy. “It’s always inspiring to see people from all walks of life come together for an event like this,” Whitehead said. “Harry’s run today just shows what’s possible when you set your mind to it.”
Styles’ marathon feat joins a long list of his accomplishments, though most of those have come on stage rather than on the streets. His self-titled debut album and the follow-up, Fine Line, have topped charts across the US, UK, and beyond, with hits like “Watermelon Sugar” earning him Grammy recognition. But on Sunday, Styles was just another runner among thousands, battling the same fatigue, humidity, and self-doubt that every marathoner faces. “Completing a marathon in under three hours is a dream for so many runners,” commented a race official. “To see someone like Harry Styles do it, especially while keeping such a low profile, is really something special.”
The Berlin Marathon’s reputation as a record-breaker remained intact, even if the world record itself survived another year. Organizers once again delivered a seamless event, with the city’s iconic landmarks—Brandenburg Gate, Victory Column, and the Reichstag—providing a dramatic backdrop. The course’s flatness and the energy of the crowd have made Berlin a favorite among both elites and amateurs, and Sunday’s race only added to its lore.
For Sawe, the victory was another step in a rapidly ascending career. Having already conquered London, his Berlin win cements his place among the world’s best. Yet, he was candid about the challenges posed by the day’s conditions. “The humidity was tough. I felt strong early, but after my pacemaker left, it became a mental battle,” Sawe admitted. “I’ll be back to chase the record again.”
Meanwhile, Akira Akasaki’s runner-up finish earned widespread praise in Japan, where marathon running enjoys immense popularity. “Akasaki’s performance shows the growing strength of Japanese distance running,” noted a commentator from NHK. For Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele, a podium finish in Berlin signals his continued rise on the international stage.
Among the women, Rosemary Wanjiru’s narrow victory was the talk of the day. With just three seconds separating her from Dera Dida, the finish was one of the closest in recent Berlin history. “It’s always a great feeling to win against such strong competition,” Wanjiru said. “Berlin brings out the best in everyone.”
As the sun set over Berlin, stories of triumph, heartbreak, and unexpected celebrity moments filled the air. From Sabastian Sawe’s relentless pursuit of history to Harry Styles’ headline-grabbing debut, the 2025 Berlin Marathon proved once again why it’s a fixture on the global sporting calendar. With records still standing but spirits soaring, runners and fans alike are already looking forward to next year’s race—and perhaps another shot at marathon immortality.