Running News Daily

The women’s field for the 2026 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is rapidly developing into one of the most intriguing marathon line-ups of the year, bringing together world-class champions, established contenders and an exciting collection of athletes determined to make their mark on one of the sport’s fastest stages.

At the forefront is Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, whose extraordinary marathon career has already placed her among the all-time greats. Assefa is the current women-only marathon world-record holder, having improved her own mark to 2:15:41 at the 2026 TCS London Marathon, where she successfully defended her title.

Her place in marathon history was secured even earlier in Berlin. At the 2023 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Assefa stormed to 2:11:53, smashing the then women’s world record by more than two minutes. The performance was subsequently ratified by World Athletics and remains among the fastest women’s marathon ever recorded in a mixed-gender race.

Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru, with a 2:16:14 personal best, provides another formidable presence at the sharp end of the race, while Ethiopia’s Bedatu Hirpa adds yet another major threat to an already exceptional field.

The 27-year-old Hirpa has built an impressive marathon résumé in a remarkably short period. She owns a 2:18:27 personal best, achieved when she won the Dubai Marathon, before continuing her winning momentum with victory at the Paris Marathon just months later. She also underlined her consistency this year with a second-place finish at the Osaka Marathon in 2:19:54. With her combination of speed, confidence and major-marathon experience, Hirpa could be one of the athletes capable of challenging the leading names in Berlin.

The Ethiopian challenge does not end there. Dera Dida (2:18:32), Zeineba Yimer (2:18:47), Bosena Mulatie (2:19:00), Misgane Alemayehu (2:19:08), Bekelech Gudeta (2:19:39), Gadise Mulu (2:20:59), Eebbisee Addunya (2:21:13) and Aminet Ahmed (2:21:24) give Ethiopia extraordinary depth, with every one of them boasting a personal best inside 2:22.

Kenya will also have strong representation through Evaline Chirchir (2:20:33) and Pascaline Jelagat (2:22:44), adding further firepower to a nation renowned for producing world-class marathon talent. China’s Deshun Zhang (2:20:53) also brings a sub-2:21 credential to the starting line.

Japan arrives with a deep group of proven marathoners. Rika Kaseda (2:21:55), Mao Uesugi (2:22:11), Natsuki Omori (2:23:45) and Rino Goshima (2:24:44) all possess impressive personal bests and could play an important role as the race develops. Morocco’s Fatima Gardadi (2:24:06) adds another strong international presence, while France’s Manon Trapp (2:23:38), the United States’ Jacqueline Gaughan (2:24:40) and Kodi Kleven (2:24:48), and Great Britain’s Lucy Reid (2:26:37) further strengthen the international depth.

Germany will have plenty to cheer for on home soil, with a sizeable contingent led by Kristina Hendel (2:27:29), who will be looking to rediscover the form that made her one of the country’s leading marathoners. After injury setbacks interrupted her progress, Hendel returns with the ambition of rebuilding her momentum on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Anna Langerwisch is another German athlete attracting considerable interest. The 24-year-old has emerged rapidly among the country’s promising marathoners, winning the Hanover Half Marathon in 70:53 before improving her marathon personal best to 2:32:13 in Prague, remarkably in only her second marathon. Her recent 32:17 over 10 kilometres at the adidas Runners City Night in early August has added further intrigue around what she might produce over the full marathon distance.

Germany’s depth extends further, with Thea Heim (2:33:25), Cara Zol­lenkopf (2:36:05), Esther Pfeiffer (2:37:00), Katja Fischer (2:40:13), Sophia Wunsch (2:40:49) and Jule Vetter (2:42:18) also listed for the race. Their presence gives the home nation a broad representation across the field and adds another layer to an already fascinating international contest.

With Assefa’s extraordinary pedigree, Wanjiru’s proven class, Hirpa’s growing reputation and a supporting cast filled with athletes boasting sub-2:25 credentials, Berlin is shaping up for a women’s race packed with possibilities.

For Assefa, the return to Berlin carries an added historical dimension. It was on these very streets in 2023 that she produced the 2:11:53 performance that changed the landscape of women’s marathon running. Now, after lowering the women-only world record to 2:15:41 in London, she returns with another opportunity to write a new chapter in her remarkable career.

For the established stars, Berlin will be a chance to reaffirm their place among the marathon elite; for the emerging contenders, it could be the moment they announce themselves on one of the sport’s grandest stages.

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is renowned for fast racing and ambitious performances, and with such remarkable depth already assembled, the 2026 edition promises to deliver a captivating battle from the opening kilometres to the iconic finish on the Straße des 17. Juni.

The 50th edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon promises fast and exciting elite races. Deep fields will be assembled with 14 men who have already run sub 2:06:00. While there is no strong favourite among them it is different with the women: Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema heads the list with her stunning 2:16:07 debut time, which makes her the ninth-fastest marathon runner ever.

Ten more women have personal bests of sub 2:22:00. Thirteen world records were broken in the history of the BMW Berlin Marathon, many more than in any other marathon. The jubilee edition of Germany’s most spectacular road race will have a record number of around 50,000 participants. 

Men’s field

Without Kenya’s superstar Eliud Kipchoge, the winner of the past two editions, the fastest on paper is Tadese Takele. The Ethiopian was third in Berlin a year ago when he improved to 2:03:24. Since another fast race is expected Takele will probably have to run quicker to be in contention for the prestigious marathon victory at the Brandenburg Gate.

Fellow Kenyan Kibiwott Kandie could well challenge for his first triumph over the classic distance. The Kenyan is the former world half marathon record holder (57:32) with great potential. Germany’s Hendrik Pfeiffer leads a group of strong domestic runners. He improved to 2:07:14 early this year in Houston.

Women’s field

Tigist Ketema stormed to a sensational victory in Dubai at the beginning of the year, clocking an unofficial world debut record of 2:16:07. Coming to another very fast course now the training partner of Tigst Assefa, who smashed the world record here with 2:11:53 a year ago, might look to improve her personal best.

The women’s field includes a former world record holder as well, but at a much shorter distance: Genzebe Dibaba ran 3:50.07 in the 1,500m in 2015. When she switched to the marathon she ran a fast debut with 2:18:05 in Amsterdam two years ago.

Unfortunately, Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru had to cancel her start due to injury. But Germany’s Melat Kejeta is a late addition to the field. She dropped out of the Olympic Marathon early because of stomach problems and now hopes to bounce back in Berlin with a personal best. Kejeta might well try to become the second German woman after Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19 in Berlin in 2008) to break 2:20:00.

MEN

Tadese Takele ETH 2:03:24

Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:34

Hailemaryam Kiros ETH 2:04:41

Kibiwott Kandie  KEN 2:04:48

Bazezew Asmare ETH 2:04:57

Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08

Milkesa Mengesha ETH 2:05:29

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:30

Philimon Kipchumba KEN 2:05:35

Josphat Boit  KEN  2:05:42 

Dejene Megersa  ETH  2:05:42

Enock Onchari  KEN  2:05:47 

Oqbe Ruesom  ERI  2:05:51

Justus Kangogo  KEN  2:05:57

Haimro Alame  ISR  2:06:04

Ashenafi Moges  ETH  2:06:12

Asbel Rutto  KEN  2:07:04

Samuel Tsegay  SWE  2:06:53

Yohei Ikeda  JPN  2:06:53

Stephen Kiprop KEN  2:07:04

Hendrik Pfeiffer  GER 2:07:14

Kento Kikutani JPN 2:07:26

Melaku Belachew ETH 2:07:28

Godadaw Belachew  ISR 2:07:45

Yuhei Urano  JPN 2:07:52

Guojian Dong CHN 2:08:12

Filimon Abraham GER 2:08:22

Haftom Welday GER 2:08:24

Sebastian Hendel GER 2:08:51

Olonbayar Jamsran  MGL 2:08:58

Haftamu Gebresilase ETH Debut

WOMEN

Tigist Ketema ETH 2:16:07

Genzebe Dibaba ETH 2:18:05

Yebrugal Melese ETH 2:19:36

Mestawot Fikir ETH 2:20:45

Azmera Gebru ETH 2:20:48

Sisay Gola ETH 2:20:50

Mizuki Matsuda JPN 2:20:52

Fikrte Wereta  ETH 2:21:32

Ai Hosoda  JPN  2:21:42

Melat Kejeta GER 2:21:47

Aberu Ayana  ETH  2:21:54

Calli Hauger-Thackery GBR 2:22:17

Bekelech Gudeta  ETH  2:22:54

Lisa Weightman  AUS  2:23:15

Betelihem Afenigus  ETH  2:23:20

Veronica Maina   KEN  2:24:46

Bosena Mulatie ETH 2:26:59

Alisa Vainio FIN 2:27:26

Sonia Samuels  GBR 2:28:04

Nora Szabo  HUN 2:28:25

Philippa Bowden USA 2:29:14

Pauline Esikon KEN Debut

The men’s elite field for the 50th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON race comes with a change that reflects the recent development at the very top of elite marathon racing.

It will be the first time since 2014 that you will not find the name of either Eliud Kipchoge or Kenenisa Bekele on the start list of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. However the Elite Race Director of the marathon where most world records (13) were broken, Mark Milde, can be confident that not so much will change regarding the outcome. Although world-records will not be the target on 29th September, the jubilee race could well deliver extraordinary fast times yet again. 

A record number of more than 50,000 runners are expected to run the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on 29th September. The race, that saw its first edition back in 1974 with 244 finishers, never had over 50,000 runners before.

From those on the men’s start list at least one has the potential to become Kenya’s next marathon superstar: Kibiwott Kandie is a former world half marathon record holder with a personal best of 57:32. This time suggests that he could become one of the fastest marathon runners of all time if he can transform his talent to the classic distance. The 28 year-old, who has a current PB of 2:04:48 and was inspired by former Berlin world record breaker Paul Tergat, is one of half a dozen runners who feature very strong personal bests of sub 2:05:00. 

Returning to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will be Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Ronald Korir of Kenya, who placed third and fourth last year. Both ran their personal bests of 2:03:24 and 2:04:22 here. Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, a younger brother of former Abbott World Marathon Majors Champion Martin Lel, will run his first BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Kotut features a PB of 2:04:34. Ethiopians Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:41) and Bazezew Asmare (2:04:57) are the other two runners with sub 2:05 PBs. Another runner who could challenge for a place on the podium is Samwel Mailu. The Kenyan smashed the course record of the Vienna City Marathon last year with 2:05:08. Due to an injury the bronze medallist from the 2023 World Half Marathon Championships was unable to compete this spring.

The women’s race could see a battle between Ethiopia’s newcomer Tigist Ketema and Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru. With their personal bests they are among the top ten on the marathon all-time list. Tigist Ketema took the Dubai Marathon this year with an unofficial world debut record of 2:16:07.

She is a training partner of Tigst Assefa, who smashed the world record at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON a year ago. Rosemary Wanjiru ran her marathon debut in Berlin two years ago and finished second with a brilliant 2:18:00. This year she improved to 2:16:14 when she was runner-up in Tokyo. 

Former 1,500m world record holder Genzebe Dibaba, who is the younger sister of Ethiopian running legend Tirunesh Dibaba, will hope to achieve a fast time on the flat Berlin course. She ran a 2:18:05 debut in Amsterdam two years ago, but was not yet able to improve this time. Genzebe Dibaba was the 2014 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. Fellow-Ethiopian Yebrgual Melese is the fourth woman on the start list who has a sub 2:20 PB with 2:19:36.

Elite Runners for the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON:

MEN

Tadese Takele ETH 2:03:24

Ronald Korir KEN 2:04:22

Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:34

Hailemaryam Kiros ETH 2:04:41

Kibiwott Kandie  KEN 2:04:48

Bazezew Asmare ETH 2:04:57

Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08

Milkesa Mengesha ETH 2:05:29

Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:30

Philimon Kipchumba KEN 2:05:35

Stephen Kiprop KEN 2:07:04

WOMEN

Tigist Ketema ETH 2:16:07

Rosemary Wanjiru KEN 2:16:14

Genzebe Dibaba ETH 2:18:05

Yebrugal Melese ETH 2:19:36

Mestawot Fikir ETH 2:20:45

Azmera Gebru ETH 2:20:48

Sisay Gola ETH 2:20:50

Ababel Yeshaneh  ETH 2:20:51

Mizuki Matsuda JPN 2:20:52

Fikrte Wereta  ETH 2:21:32

Sifan Hassan, Kelvin Kiptum, Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug have been crowned Abbott World Marathon Majors Series XV champions.

The series concluded at the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon.

Kiptum and Hug already had their victories assured, with Kiptum winning the TCS London Marathon and then the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a world record 2:00:35 to seal the men’s open division title.

Wheelchair racer Hug had swept all five Majors before New York and promptly made it six from six with a dominant display in the final event. Hug was presented with a special gold Six Star medal to mark the accomplishment.

Hassan, with wins in London and Chicago, could only be caught by Kenyan Hellen Obiri, who needed to win in New York to add to her Boston victory and tie Hassan at the top of the leaderboard.

Obiri duly obliged, out-kicking Letesenbet Gidey in Central Park to claim the race victory.

That meant the six race directors of the Abbott World Marathon Majors had to each vote for their choice to be the 2023 women’s series champion. The vote went the way of Hassan, who set the second fastest time in history of 2:13:44 when she won in Chicago.

For Debrunner, it was all in her own hands. She went into the final race three points behind her Swiss compatriot Manuela Schär, with defending series champion, the USA’s Susannah Scaroni, two points further back and Madison de Rozario of Australia also within striking distance of the title if she could win in New York.

Debrunner left all her rivals behind from the gun, descending the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge with a commanding lead that she never relinquished.

She went on to break Scaroni’s course record, finishing in 1:39:32 to take the win, the record bonus and the series.

It caps a stunning fall season for Debrunner, who shot into contention by winning the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in a world record time before adding the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to her list of successes two weeks later.

Abbott World Marathon Majors CEO Dawna Stone said: “We are thrilled to see the series end in such spectacular fashion in New York City, and to have four such incredible series champions to celebrate.

“Series XV has been one for the history books, with three new world records set across the divisions and a host of course and regional records falling as well.

“Our six races continue to raise the bar of elite performance in the marathon, and we congratulate Sifan, Catherine, Kelvin and Marcel on their fantastic achievements in this series.”

Series XVI will begin at the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024.

Once again the best marathon runner of all time will be on the start line of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The double Olympic champion from Kenya, who brought his own world record down to 2:01:09 a year ago in Berlin, will be almost compelled to go all out for a fast time on Sunday, such is the enormously competitive running scene among his compatriots where only an extremely fast time within the Olympic qualifying mark will secure one of the three places for the Kenyan men’s team in the Olympic Marathon in Paris next year.

Eliud Kipchoge’s ambition in Paris is to become the first runner in history to win three Olympic Marathon titles. The Kenyan is aiming to use the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON almost as a springboard to book his place in Paris. While Eliud Kipchoge could strike up a world record pace at the head of the field, Germany’s marathon star Amanal Petros seeks an unprecedented achievement in the history of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON by becoming the first to set a men’s national record here, a feat so far never accomplished in the previous 48 editions of the event.

A record number of 47,912 runners from 156 nations have entered the 49th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Germany’s most spectacular road race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) and is also a Platinum Label Road Race of World Athletics.

“We feel honoured that the best marathon runner in sporting history, Eliud Kipchoge, has decided to run the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for a sixth time. This confirms the outstanding status of the event and raises hopes for an exceptional result,” said race director Mark Milde, who has organized Kipchoge’s previous five races in Berlin.

“Berlin for me is like home. Looking at the Olympic Games in Paris next year, I considered which races would be the best preparation for me and Berlin was the best option,” explained Eliud Kipchoge. A year ago his pace for much of the early stages of the race suggested he might even break two hours. “But that was 2022, it’s a different year now and a different race,” said the 38-year-old. Winning in Berlin for the fifth time would give him more titles here than any other champion. He is currently level with the legendary Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie on four victories.

It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that Eliud Kipchoge breaks the world record for the third time in Berlin, although he did not announce any definite goals at the press conference. “I’m nervous, but that shows I’m ready,” said Kipchoge. “I’ll try to run a good time.” Of his 20 marathons, Eliud Kipchoge has emerged victorious in all but three, in itself a unique achievement.

The man with the second fastest time going into the race is also Kenyan, Amos Kipruto. He ran his personal best of 2:03:13 in Tokyo last year, finishing runner-up to Eliud Kipchoge. “My aim on Sunday is to run a personal best,” stated Amos Kipruto, whose career highlight so far is winning the London Marathon last year.

A dozen men on the start list show best times of under 2:06, proof of the strength in depth among the elite in this year’s BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. “It would be fair to say that every elite runners comes to Berlin to run their personal best,” admitted Mark Milde.

Amanal Petros has as his goal in his BMW BERLIN-MARATHON debut that of breaking his own German record of 2:06:07 by a clear margin. “I’ve trained in Kenya for almost four months at altitude of 2,400 metres, concentrating entirely on Berlin. That was very challenging,” said the 28-year-old. “Going through halfway in around 62 minutes is feasible but we can adjust the pace at any time.”

Not only the German but the Swiss national record for the marathon could come under pressure. Tadesse Abraham improved his best to 2:06:38 as a 39-year-old last year in Zurich. Now turned 41, he might even threaten the world masters record of none other than Kenenisa Bekele, who ran 2:05:53 in London last year.

Men’s elite runners with personal bests

Eliud Kipchoge KEN 2:01:09  

not record eligible:1:59:40,2

Amos KiprutoKEN2:03:13

Jonathan MaiyoKEN2:04:56

Eliud Kiptanui KEN 2:05:21

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie ERI 2:05:34

Ronald KorirKEN2:05:37

Tadu Abate ETH 2:05:38

Philemon KiplimoKEN2:05:44

Enock Onchari KEN 2:05:47

Mark Korir KEN 2:05:49

Andualem ShiferawETH2:05:52

Haftu TekluETH2:05:53

Amanal PetrosGER2:06:27

Josphat BoitKEN2:06:34

Tadesse Abraham SUI 2:06:38

Okubay Tsegay ERI2:06:46

Abel KipchumbaKEN2:06:49

Yusuke Ogura JPN2:06:51

Denis ChirchirKEN2:07:17

Eyob Faniel ITA 2:07:19

Justus KangogoKEN2:07:40

Titus Kipkosgei KEN2:07:46

Godadaw BelachewISR2:07:54

Dominic Nyairo KEN2:08:13

Derseh Kindie ETH 2:08:23

Guojian Dong CHN2:08:28

Liam Adams AUS 2:08:39

Scott FaubleUSA2:08:52

Hendrik Pfeiffer GER 2:10:18

Samuel Fitwi GER 2:12:14

Konstantin Wedel GER 2:13:02

This year's BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will take place on September 24 - the sports event is one of the most prestigious marathons in the world. SCC EVENTS, the organizer of the event, is expecting more than 45,000 runners from about 150 nations. In addition to the huge field of amateur athletes, the top international as well as national athletes will be competing.

As already announced in the press release sent out by SCC EVENTS on July 13, 2023, the world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) and the winner of the TCS London Marathon 2022, Amos Kipruto (KEN), will be at the start in the German capital. With Tigst Assefa (ETH) as course record holder and winner of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2022 and Sheila Chepkirui, winner of the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON 2022, the women's field is just as elite.

The German record holder will be competing

From the ranks of the German starters, Amanal Petros should be the first to be mentioned. The winner of this year's Hannover Marathon holds the German records for both the marathon and half-marathon distances. The MARATHON TEAM BERLIN runner is certainly hoping to achieve a German best time at his race on September 24. At the 2022 European Athletics Championships, Petros won the silver medal in the marathon team classification.

Top German men in Berlin

Amanal Petros stood beside teammates Simon Boch, Konstantin Wedel as well as Hendrik Pfeiffer on the podium in the aforementioned European Championship silver-medal team. All four will be competing at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. Simon Boch (LG Telis Finanz Regensburg) was German runner-up in the half marathon in the spring and secured the German team title for his team with this performance. Hendrik Pfeiffer, who competes for TK Hannover, won the Hannover Marathon last year. And just like his competition, the 30-year-old is hoping to use the race in Berlin to qualify for the Olympic Games in Paris.

European marathon champions at the start

The German women's marathon team was even more successful than the men at the 2022 European Athletics Championships. With the line-up of Miriam Dattke, Domenika Mayer (both LG Telis Finanz Regensburg), Deborah and Rabea Schöneborn (both MARATHON TEAM BERLIN) and Kristina Hendel (LG Braunschweig), they won the gold medal. The mentioned European champions will run at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. For the women, too, the race in Berlin is considered to be an important milestone to make it to the 2024 Olympic Games.

Partnerships with great added value

For the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2023, SCC EVENTS announced NORQAIN as its new timing partner. NORQAIN is familiar as a high-quality, family-owned watch manufacturer. The company is based in Nidau, the heart of the Swiss chronograph industry. Christian Jost, Managing Director of SCC EVENTS, is delighted about the commitment of the traditional Swiss watch manufacturer: "Reliability is one of our core values in the mission statement of SCC EVENTS. With NORQAIN, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON gains a partner whose recipe for success is based on reliability and quality. This partnership has a great added value for us as organiser and for all the participants, who always expect a spirit of innovation and a reliably high standard from the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON."

"As a brand deeply rooted in the world of adventure and exploration, we are thrilled to embark on this multi-year partnership with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON", said Ben Küffer, Founder & CEO of NORQAIN. "We are honoured to be the Official Timekeeper of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, an iconic event that embodies the values of perseverance, determination, and the pursuit of excellence, which are at the core of NORQAIN's DNA.”

The cashless online payment system PayPal has also been one of the partners of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for some time. "Anyone competing at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is expecting a high-quality sports experience. A fast, simple and secure payment system makes it easier for runners be able to focus on the essential aspects of the event," says Christian Jost.

"We are very happy about the renewed cooperation with SCC EVENTS. Whether at registration, beverage stands or after the race: For easy and convenient payments during the event, runners can pay with the PayPal app using a QR code Athletes can leave cash or cards at home," explains Jörg Kablitz, Managing Director of PayPal Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Options to secure race entries possibilities and media accreditation

Although registration to participate in the race entry lottery for the 49th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is now closed, there are still opportunities to secure a race entry for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2023: through our charity partners and our official travel agents. Registration is still open for inline skaters. To apply for accreditation for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2023, you must send a request via the press portal on our website, which is now possible.

This man is an inspiration:

While everyone is waiting for their start, Klaus-Dieter Knapp will be already on the course from 7:45 am.

Klaus-Dieter has suffered from incomplete paraplegia for many years. For example, it takes him up 8.5 hours to finish the marathon. For this reason, Klaus-Dieter is exceptionally allowed to start earlier.

Klaus-Dieter is ready to run his 36th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON this year. 

"We wish Klaus-Dieter and all of you good luck on the course," says the organizers on FB.  

Eliud Kipchoge is ready for a very fast race in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday which may well lead him to break the world record here for the second time.

The double Olympic champion, who set the current world record of 2:01:39 in Berlin four years ago and also broke the two-hour barrier when he ran 1:59:40.2 in a race in Vienna in 2019 which did not conform to regulations, will start as the clear favourite. 

Organisers of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON have registered 45,527 runners from 157 nations for the 48th edition of the event. Germany’s most spectacular road race is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM) and is also a Platinum Label Road Race of the international athletics federation, World Athletics. 

The 37-year-old Kenyan held back from making any hard and fast promises when he spoke two days before the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. “I’d like to thank the organisers for letting me race again in Berlin after four years and expect a very good race. I’ve trained well as usual – every training day is a challenge.”In response to the question at the press conference, what would be “a very good race” for him, Eliud Kipchoge answered: “A very good race is a good race.”

That got the audience on his side before he added: “I want to inspire people and if a course record comes out of this at the end, I will appreciate it,” added this outstanding athlete. It should be noted that the course record is, of course, the world record, but Eliud Kipchoge was careful not to utter these words.

The world record holder, whose career so far has brought him victory in all but two of his 18 marathons, could well achieve his fourth win in Berlin after taking the title in 2015, 2017 and 2018. That would bring him equal with the Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie as the two men with most wins in Berlin. If the world athlete of the year for 2018 and 2019 is in world record form, Eliud Kipchoge should prove unbeatable on Sunday.

On the other hand, the elite field has plenty of strength in depth. Heading the list of challengers is last year’s champion Guye Adola from Ethiopia, winning the title in unseasonably warm conditions in 2:05:45 and beating the Ethiopian superstar Kenenisa Bekele into the bargain.

It was in Berlin in 2017 that Guye Adola ran what remains his personal best of 2:03:46 and on his debut at the distance. Only Eliud Kipchoge finished ahead of him though from time to time Adola took the lead. “I have prepared well and look forward to the race,” said the 31-year-old, who described Kipchoge as “a hero.”

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON has greater strength in depth among the men’s elite field than ever before. As many as 18 runners have personal bests under 2:08. Among them is Ghirmay Ghebreslassie who caused a surprise when winning the world title in 2015 and also won in New York the following year. The Eritrean athlete has a best of 2:05:34 which he set in finishing third in Seville in February.

“It’s a big challenge to run in such a field and against Eliud Kipchoge. I’ll do my best and my aim is a place on the podium,” said Ghirmay Ghebreslassie.

An unusually large number of Japanese runners will be among the elite starters, the reason being that they are trying to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. There will be 13 of them with personal bests of under 2:10 in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The fastest of them is Ryu Takaku with a best of 2:06:45.

The leading German in the field is Johannes Motschmann, who was a member of the German team at the European Championships which won the silver medal in Munich. Despite a short recovery time of six weeks since that competition, the 28-year-old wants to improve his personal best of 2:12:18 in the direction of 2:10. 

The race in Berlin is the biggest of my career so far. Since I’m a hometown boy here, I’d even rate it above the European Championship marathon,” said Motschmann, who runs for the Marathon Team Berlin.

The Austrian record holder, Peter Herzog, will also be aiming to take advantage of conditions at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and run faster than ever before. His current best is 2:10:06 and his ambition is to become the first Austrian.

While a double world athlete of the Year in Eliud Kipchoge will take centre stage, a former star of world sport will be running some way behind him: the Brazilian football legend Kaká, a member of the team which won the World Cup in 2002, and also a Champions League winner and Footballer of the Year.

“I definitely wanted to run a major marathon and asked friends who recommended Berlin to me. That’s why I’m here. On Sunday I want to run 3:40. The marathon is something very special in that we, as mass runners, run together with the elite. I’m very excited,” admitted Kaká at the press conference.

Elite runners with personal bests

Eliud Kipchoge KEN 2:01:39

Guye Adola ETH 2:03:46

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie ERI 2:05:34

Dejene Debela ETH 2:05:46

Mark Korir KEN 2:05:49

Ashenafi Moges ETH 2:06:12

Tadu Abate ETH 2:06:13

Bethwel Yegon KEN 2:06:14

Awet HabteERI2:06:25

Ryu TakakuJPN2:06:45

Limenih Getachew ETH2:06:47

Hiroto InoueJPN2:06:47

Zablon Chumba KEN 2:07:18

Kenya Sonota JPN 2:07:23

Kento Kikutani JPN 2:07:26

Kazuki Muramoto JPN 2:07:36

Tadashi Isshiki JPN2:07:39

Atsumi Ashiwa JPN 2:07:54

Daisuke DoiJPN2:08:13

Rintaro TakedaJPN2:08:48

Yuki Matsumura JPN 2:09:01

Peter Herzog AUT 2:10:06

Johannes Motschmann GER 2:12:18

Third photo: Kipchoge's first run in Berlin 

The American record holder Keira d’Amato and Kenya’s Nancy Jelagat Meto lead a high quality women’s field for the 48th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday, September 25. Keira d’Amato improved the US record to 2:19:12 which also gives her the accolade of the fastest in the women’s field, announced by the organisers today. Eight women will be on the start line with personal bests of under 2:21.

The return of Kenya’s double Olympic champion and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge had already been announced some weeks ago as well as the participation of the current BMW BERLIN-MARATHON champion Guye Adola of Ethiopia. Six men on the start lists have personal bests of under 2:06while the organisers SCC EVENTS expect more than 45,000 runners from around 150 countries for Germany’s top road race. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is an Abbott World Marathon Majors race and a Platinum Label Road Race, awarded by World Athletics, the international governing body of the sport.

“After securing the presence of Eliud Kipchoge and Guye Adola, we are delighted also to have a very strong women’s field on the start line. With the right weather conditions there is certainly a good chance of very fast times,” said race director Mark Milde.

The presence of Keira d’Amato and Nancy Jelagat Meto brings to the event two women who have already run sub-2:20. At the age of 37, Keira d’Amato sprang a major surprise to break the American record with 2:19:12 in winning the Houston Marathon. That led to her late nomination for the World Championships in Eugene where she ran impressively to finish eighth. Sara Hall, who plans to run Berlin and then New York as well, went even better, finishing fifth.

Hall’s best time is 2:20:32. Nancy Jelagat Meto showed fine form in the past year, winning the prestigious Valencia title with a major improvement of 2:19:31. Four months previously she made a strong showing with second place in 65:21 at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON.

Quite a few women runners will hope to put Berlin’s fast course, where Eliud Kipchoge set the current men’s world record of 2:01:39 in 2018, to good use in their bid to break 2:20: Gutemi Shone Imana has a best of 2:20:11 while Workenesh Edesa has run 2:20:24 and a third Ethiopian,  Sisay Gola, has clocked 2:20:50. The Kenyans also have their contenders to break this landmark time in Maurine Chepkemoi, currently with a best of 2:20:18 and Vibian Chepkirui, who won the Vienna City Marathon in 2:20:59 in April.

Nor should marathon debutants be overlooked in the search for potential women winners, given that the Ethiopian Gotytom Gebreslase did just that to win last year’s BMW BERLIN-MARATHON title. Two possible contenders are Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya and Ethiopia’s Nigisti Haftu. Both have strong performances at half marathon to their credit which could make them realistic challengers.

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON will get underway on Sunday, September 26 with high quality elite fields headed by the Ethiopian superstar Kenenisa Bekele on his fourth appearance in Germany’s biggest and most spectacular marathon, while his compatriot Hiwot Gebrekidan will run in Berlin’s women’s field for the first time. Gebrekidan is currently the fastest female marathon runner in the world this year. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and a Platinum Label Road Race, awarded by World Athletics, the international governing body of athletics.

Kenenisa Bekele is 39 now and will be running the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON for the fourth time. He won the race in 2016 but dropped out the next year and returned in 2019 to triumph once again. In both victories the Ethiopian missed the then world record by a matter of seconds.

In terms of his achievements on the track and cross country, Kenenisa Bekele is the greatest long distance runner of all time. The multiple world record holder won the 5,000m at the 2008 Olympic Games as well as at the 2009 World Championships, took the 10,000m title at the Olympics in 2004 and 2008 as well as at the World Championships in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. In addition, he has won eleven gold medals at the World Cross Country Championships.

At the same time, Kenenisa Bekele’s marathon career has been by no means a smooth one. He has failed to finish three of his six races at the classic distance, including an attempt on the world record in Dubai in 2017 and Berlin later in the same year.

Yet on two occasions Kenenisa Bekele was able to convert his enormous potential to the marathon though there was still an element of disappointment attached, since he missed breaking the world record by a handful of seconds each time. In 2016 in Berlin he went within six seconds of the then global best, improving his own best to 2:03:03. Two years ago Bekele won again, this time running 2:01:41, two seconds outside the world record which his Kenyan rival Eliud Kipchoge had improved to 2:01:39 in the meantime. This achievement in 2019 means the Ethiopian is the second fastest marathon runner in history. It may well be that the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on September 26 is his last chance to break the world record at the distance. “I’m looking forward to the race in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and all my training has been with this in mind. It’s gone well. I am doing everything to make sure my preparation is perfect,” said Kenenisa Bekele.

Ethiopia’s superstar will face two strong compatriots among his rivals. Guye Adola made an outstanding marathon debut in 2017 beside the River Spree with second place in 2:03:46. His time was record for a marathon debutant and Adola even put the eventual winner, Eliud Kipchoge, under pressure, leading the great Kenyan until shortly before 40 kilometres. Another Ethiopian who surprised many on his marathon debut is Olika Adugna. He will be running in Berlin on September 26 with a best of 2:06:15 from winning debut in Dubai in 2020.

The women’s field includes the fastest marathoner in the world this year, Ethiopia’s Hiwot Gebrekidan, who won the Milan Marathon in a personal best of 2:19:35 in April. Purity Rionoripo of Kenya (pb 2:20:39) and the Ethiopian Shure Demise (pb 2:20:59) should also be relied upon to offer strong challenges.

More information is available online at: Berlin-Marathon.com.

On September 26, all eyes will be on the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. After a bitter period of deprivation, a large field of runners will be allowed to celebrate on the streets of the German capital. Due to the current pandemic situation, this year there is a reduction in participants and a detailed hygiene concept, which makes it possible for an event of this magnitude to be realized at all.

Not only are the recreational athletes appreciative of the endless efforts by the organiser SCC EVENTS, which are making it possible to finally compete together again at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. A look at the list of favourites shows quite clearly how much the world’s elite is also waiting for top notch races. None other than running legend Kenenisa Bekele will aim for victory on September 26.

At the 2019 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, he clearly demonstrated with his time of 2:01:41 hours that he is always a force to be reckoned with. Whether he can shine again this year with one of the fastest marathon times ever remains to be seen. Anything is possible for the Ethiopian jack-of-all-trades. The #berlinlegend Bekele appears to do particularly well in the Berlin air. This is underlined not only by his victories at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2016 and 2019, but also by his captivating performances at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in the capital city on the Spree River.

Are you ready for the 2:01:39 Challenge on September 26 and 27, 2020? How many kilometers can you cover in 2:01:39 hours, the world record time set by Eliud Kipchoge in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2018? No matter where in the world you may find yourself, be a part of the #berlin42united community and run your personal record. #20139

But you can become part of the 2:01:39 Challenge from September 26 to 27, 2020. How many kilometers can you cover in 2:01:39 hours, the world record time set by Eliud Kipchoge in the 2018 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2018. No matter where in the world you may find yourself, be a part of the #berlin42united community, achieve your personal record and immortalize yourself in a ranking.

The only cost to participate is your sweat and muscle power. The 2:01:39 Challenge App provides the needed support. Starting in mid-September, the free app will be available for download for iOS and Android devices.

In addition, on September 27, 2020, a team of German top runners in the form of a relay is trying to break the time of 2:01:39 hours over the marathon distance around the Berlin Victory Column (Siegessäule). Due to the current situation, viewers can only follow this action, which takes place in compliance with the current hygiene regulations, on the screen.

The motto of September 27 is “Berlin bewegt sich” and will be broadcast live on rbb television from 9 am to 11.30 am.

In the next few weeks we will present more detailed information.Until then we wish you continued success in training for your 2:01:39 Challenge.

Stay tuned! #20139

Events with 5,000 participants or more are prohibited by the responsible authorities in Germany until October 24, 2020. Hopes were raised earlier this week that a replacement race after that date might be possible, if satisfactory hygiene measures could be put in place, but the race’s organisers today drew a line under these considerations.

SCC Events, the race organisers, said in a statement: “We worked hard on the development of a hygiene concept and held countless discussions with our experts, the responsible authorities and service providers, among others. A comprehensive feasibility analysis showed that an event such as the BMW Berlin-Marathon could not be held under the current specifications – also not after October 24, 2020, especially not with the high expectations we all have for this event. Naturally, we support the containment measures, as the health of everyone is of utmost importance to us.

“The BMW Berlin-Marathon will therefore not take place on September 26-27, 2020 due to force majeure, and it is also not possible to hold the event at a later date this year.”

Jürgen Lock, Managing Director of SCC Events, added: “Due to the weather conditions alone and the ever shorter days, it would be very difficult to hold the BMW Berlin-Marathon with its various competitions and event formats this year.

Then there is the uncertainty about which regulations will apply at a later date. The question of whether athletes will be able to travel internationally again by then can also not yet be answered.”

Registered participants will be contacted this week and offered the opportunity of a full refund or a transfer to next year’s event on September 25–26 2021.

The Berlin Marathon, one of the world’s six elite long-distance races, has been cancelled this year as organisers conceded the event cannot be held under German Covid-19 containment regulations.

The decision yesterday (Wednesday) came as the 2020 New York City Marathon, originally scheduled for November 1 and another member of the World Marathon Majors (WMM) group, was also cancelled due to Covid-19.

The Berlin Marathon was scheduled for September 26-27, but organisers had already announced in April that this year’s race would not go ahead as scheduled after the German government extended its ban on large-scale gatherings of more than 5,000 people until October 24.

SCC Events has now said that after “extensive examination and various discussions” it would not be possible to hold the event at a later date this year. It added: “Over the past weeks, we have put a lot of commitment and effort into examining all options for holding the BMW Berlin-Marathon 2020 under the given conditions.

“We worked hard on the development of a hygiene concept and held countless discussions with our experts, the responsible authorities and service providers, among others.”

The media and sponsorship rights to the Berlin Marathon are sold by the Infront agency, which is also responsible for the broadcast production. Of the six World Marathon Majors, only Tokyo has taken place so far this year on March 1, with a reduced field consisting only of elite runners, without the mass participation element.

The Berlin and New York decisions came weeks after the Boston Marathon was cancelled for the first time in its 124-year history. The London Marathon has been postponed until October 4, while the Chicago Marathon remains scheduled for October 11.

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon announced today its registration date and new features for the 43rd running of Cleveland’s premier race, which will take place May 16-17, 2020, in downtown Cleveland. More than 50,000 runners, volunteers and spectators are expected to participate in activities throughout race weekend.

The 43rd Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will feature a more streamlined race schedule, with the 10K being moved to Saturday of race weekend, and the 1-Mile and 8K races being eliminated.

New Features.- The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is pleased to offer four new Challenge Series levels in 2020, providing new options for runners and walkers who wish to challenge themselves with two events over a two-day period. The Challenge Series offers four event combinations and levels of difficulty:• 10K and Full Marathon • 10K and Half Marathon • 5K and Full Marathon• 5K and Half Marathon*Please note, as mentioned above, the 10K has been moved to Saturday, May 16. There is no longer an 8K as part of the series.To be included in the Challenge Series and receive its benefits, participants must register under one of the four Challenge Series 2-Day Distance Combos. If they register twice for two individual events, they will not be included in the Challenge Series. 

Additionally, participants will now have the opportunity to choose from one of four Challenge Series levels and, for the first time, be eligible for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Championships in 2021.

Additionally, the Cleveland Marathon has been chosen as a qualifying event partner of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Wanda Age Group World Rankings.

The AbbottWMM is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. 

Guye Adola, who finished second in an unofficial world record debut two years ago in Berlin, as well as Leul Gebrselassie, Sisay Lemma and Birhanu Legese all possess the potential to win the BMWBerlin-Marathon.

Gebrselassie, Lemma and Legese have each triumphed over the marathon distance in the past ten months, running top-class times and all have personal bests in the region of 2:04.

“We expect a men’s race with top performances. There’s not much likelihood of a world record attempt but the times are likely to be very fast. In addition, the battle for victory could be a thrilling one that may well last until the final few kilometres,” said the race director Mark Milde, who is still recruiting more top performers.

In the past ten years Ethiopian runners have only won the men’s title in Berlin on two occasions. Haile Gebrselassie won in 2009 and Kenenisa Bekele in 2016. Otherwise Kenyans have dominated, breaking the world record four times. The most recent occasion was last year when Eliud Kipchoge ran a sensational 2:01:39 but he will not be running this year.

Birhanu Legese is the one runner among the Ethiopian quartet who has won an Abbott World Marathon Majors race this year. The 24-year-old took the title in Tokyo in March with 2:04:48 in only the third marathon of his career. In 2018 he made a spectacular debut with 2:04:15 in Dubai which put him straightaway among the marathon world-class. Even so, his time was only good enough for sixth in an extraordinarily fast race. Legese has already won one big race in Berlin, emerging as the surprise winner of the city’s Half Marathon with 59:45 in 2015.

Two more of the quartet for Berlin on September 29 were in action in Dubai 2018 and ran their personal bests there: Leul Gebrselassie and Sisay Lemma. Gebrselassie is not related to the former marathon world record holder and multiple Berlin winner Haile, but has strong credentials of his own, finishing runner-up in 2:04:02 in the race in the United Arab Emirates 18 months ago. In December the 25-year-old confirmed his ability in setting a course record of 2:04:31 to win the Valencia Marathon. In April this year he finished eighth in London’s traditionally highly competitive field.

Sisay Lemma improved his best by a big margin to 2:04:08 to finish fifth in Dubai in 2018. At the end of last October the 28-year-old produced another fine performance to break the course record in Ljubljana with 2:04:58. Three years ago he was fourth in the BMW Berlin-Marathon with 2:06:56. He marked 2015 with victories in Vienna and Frankfurt marathons.

Guye Adola has every reason to have fond memories of Berlin on his return to the race. Two years ago the 28-year-old ran an unofficial world record debut to finish second in 2:03:46 – official world records for marathon debuts are not given. He even managed to put a superstar such as Eliud Kipchoge under pressure, leading until just before 40k from the Kenyan. Since that debut the Half Marathon World Championship bronze medallist in 2014 has struggled with injuries but Adola intends to put all that behind him at the BMW Berlin-Marathon this year.

The Berlin Marathon will start Sunday September 16 at 9:15am local time or 12:15am California time (3:15am in New York).  

The weather forecast looks good.  Only 10% chance of rain, mostly cloudy and the temperatures in the 60’s (17-21c). The stage is set for two of the best marathoners in the world to battle each other in the 45th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday when Eliud Kipchoge and Wilson Kipsang meet for the third round of their rivalry in the fastest marathon in the world.

Kipchoge’s best of 2:03:05 is only eight seconds slower than the current world record and Kipsang has done his share of record breaking, since he ran his best of 2:03:13 to break the then world record and win Berlin in 2013.  

Eliud Kipchoge’s aim on Sunday is to break his personal best and attack the world record while Wilson Kipsang is equally primed to set a world record.  This year’s Marathon is the biggest ever, 133 countries will be represented among the 44,389 participants.

The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is also part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series (AWMM) which also comprises Tokyo, Boston, London, Chicago and New York. The new series, the 12th edition, of the AWMM begins in Berlin on Sunday and will also conclude with the 46th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON next September.

Then men’s marathon in Berlin has become a yardstick for performances at the distance worldwide. Over the past 15 years in September its flat course has been the stage for half a dozen world records. Since 2003 no other marathon has produced a men’s world record.

For good measure, the world’s fastest time for the year by a man has been run at every BMW BERLIN-MARATHON since 2011. The current world best time for the year is the 2:04:00 by the Ethiopian Mosinet Geremew, set in Dubai in January.

The world record stands at 2:02:57 by Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto to win Berlin four years ago. Eliud Kipchoge said this at Friday’s press conference and talk of a world record attempt: “After winning in London in April I concentrated on preparations for Berlin and can assure you that I shall run well on Sunday.

"I want to improve my personal best,” said the man who has won all but one of his eleven marathons and is regarded by many as the best ever at the distance.  He did hold back a little and perhaps the reason for his reluctance to commit fully in public is caused by two previous world record attempts in Berlin where the 33-year-old had bad luck.

In 2015 his shoe insoles came lose and, despite being in pain, he still won in 2:04:00. A year ago bad weather foiled the world record attempt as Kipchoge set a “Rain World Record” to win in 2:03:32. No athlete had ever run a marathon so fast in such conditions. 

The only man to have beaten Eliud Kipchoge in the marathon is Wilson Kipsang and that was in 2013. Kipsang broke the world record in that Berlin race with 2:03:13.

The 36-year-old has plenty of experience and achieved consistently world class performances over many years, breaking 2:04 on four occasions – a total Kipchoge has not yet matched.

Wilson Kipsang plans to run more cautiously than Kipchoge on Sunday: “I want to run similarly to my world record in 2013. I ran the second half faster than the first then. 

"This Sunday I want to reach halfway in 61:30,” said Kipsang, who dropped out of Berlin last year at 30km.