Nairobi, May 1 -- It was pomp and colour at Eldoret International Airport on Thursday as world marathon record holder Sabastian Sawe received a rousing homecoming in the city fondly known as the "Home of Champions."

Sawe made history on Sunday by clocking 1:59:30 to win the London Marathon, becoming the first athlete to officially break the two-hour barrier in a competitive race. The late Kelvin Kiptum set the previous record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The 30-year-old arrived at Eldoret at exactly 2:58pm aboard a Kenya Air Force C-145 Skytruck, which received a ceremonial water salute before taxiing to the apron, where family, friends and fans awaited.

He had earlier been welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on...