Catholic marathon world champion ‘never misses Mass,’ is a leader in his parish

During an April 29 interview with ACI Africa, Julius Kemei, the chairman of Sawe’s parish, Holy Family Catholic Church in the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, emphasized that the star athlete is considered a mentor of the parish community, regularly contributes financially to the parish, never misses Mass, and even assisted at Mass before traveling to London for this year’s race.

During the 2026 London Marathon, Sawe made history by winning the race in a record 1.59.30, breaking the previous record of 2:00:35 set by the late Kelvin Kiptum in 2023.

“Sabastian never misses any church service. The last time he was here, he told us that he was traveling the same day to London for a competition and asked us to pray for him,” Kemei said during the interview. “He never misses Mass; he comes with his entire family to church. Whenever he is not around, his wife and children come.”

Kemei, who taught Sawe at Cheukta Primary School as a child, stressed that the runner has become like an “elder” of the parish, with young people regularly looking to him “for mentorship,” adding that “he is a great resource to our church.”

Kemei noted that Sawe also frequently contributes both his time and money to parish projects, recalling that after running a previous marathon, he donated a significant chunk of his earnings to one of them.

“There is a marathon he won before this London one… and he came and gave the Church Ksh. 100,000 (774 USD),” he said. “There are times he offers to complete projects by himself, saying that God has already blessed him so much.”

Indeed, upon his return to Kenya, Kemei said Sawe plans to help finish the construction of the church.

“After he is done with the national reception in Nairobi, I know he will want to head straight to his home, and the Church is one of the first places he will want to be,” he said. “And he will want to know how he can support the completion (of) its construction.”

Several prominent athletes have publicly professed their Catholic faith. Former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, a devout Catholic, led the Hoosiers to their first national championship victory. Mendoza regularly gave glory to God in nearly all his interviews, including after winning the national championship.

“This season is the season I’ve gotten the closest, the most religious I’ve ever been. And I think it’s also reflected in the success, not just the success but also the platform to praise God and to praise Jesus Christ,” Mendoza said in a pregame interview before the championship game.

The star quarterback, who was drafted number one overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2026 NFL Draft, has also credited the Catholic priests at Indiana for his athletic success.

The Catholic priests at Indiana University “have done so much to help me: whether it’s Confession, or just being able to talk, or Mass every Sunday,” Mendoza said.

“I really give a lot that I have accomplished this season in my life to the Lord. I really give thanks to God,” he added.