Running News Daily

The 2025 Shanghai Marathon delivered the kind of fireworks organizers were hoping for on Sunday, November 30—fast times, dominant front-running, and a powerful statement that Shanghai is ready to join the World Marathon Majors.

More than 23,000 runners started at the Bund at 7 a.m., racing through one of the world’s most iconic skylines before finishing at Shanghai Stadium. Both the men’s and women’s races produced standout performances.

Kosgei Back on Top With a Historic Run

Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei returned to the top of the podium in commanding style. The 31-year-old Kenyan surged early, hit halfway under 69 minutes, and never looked back, winning in 2:16:36—

• the fastest marathon ever run on Chinese soil,

• a new Shanghai course record, and

• the third-fastest performance of her career.

Only compatriot Irine Chepet Cheptai could stay close in the early miles, eventually taking second in 2:18:51. Ethiopia’s Tiruye Mesfin finished third in 2:20:38, followed closely by fellow Ethiopian Bekelech Gudeta at 2:20:59.

China’s top star Zhang Deshun placed fifth in 2:25:13, continuing her impressive streak of top domestic finishes.

Ethiopia Sweeps the Men’s Podium

The men’s race unfolded differently—a large, aggressive pack early on before Ethiopia dominated the final 10K. In a furious sprint to the line, Milkesa Mengesha broke the tape in 2:06:25, edging compatriot Dawit Wolde by two seconds. Deresa Geleta finished third in 2:06:36, completing an all-Ethiopian podium.

Five Ethiopians broke 2:07, underscoring the depth at the front.

China’s Feng Peiyou delivered the best domestic performance of the day, clocking 2:08:36, the fastest marathon ever run by a Chinese athlete in Shanghai. Countrymen Yang Kegu, Li Dalin, and Ma Rui also cracked the top ten.

Top 10 Results

Men

1. Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) – 2:06:25

2. Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:06:27

3. Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:06:36

4. Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 2:06:57

5. Challa Gossa (ETH) – 2:08:06

6. Feng Peiyou (CHN) – 2:08:36

7. Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) – 2:09:42

8. Yang Kegu (CHN) – 2:12:00

9. Li Dalin (CHN) – 2:13:11

10. Ma Rui (CHN) – 2:13:26

Women

1. Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:16:36 (course & Chinese all-comers record)

2. Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) – 2:18:51

3. Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:20:38

4. Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:20:59

5. Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:25:13

6. Veronicah Njeri Maina (KEN) – 2:26:33

7. Wu Shuang (CHN) – 2:27:17

8. Yao Miao (CHN) – 2:31:13

9. Shen Jiayao (CHN) – 2:31:57

10. Ma Xuexian (CHN) – 2:34:51

Shanghai’s Road to Becoming a Major

For the second straight year, organizers staged the race under the “Run Beyond Borders” banner, showcasing deep elite fields, expanded medical and volunteer support, and international broadcast coverage. Shanghai is currently undergoing World Marathon Majors evaluation, with the earliest possible inclusion in 2027.

The 2025 Shanghai Marathon — a World Athletics Platinum Label event — is set for Sunday (30), and both the women’s and men’s races are shaping up as some of the strongest in the event’s history. Former world record-holder Brigid Kosgei and defending men’s champion Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba headline a deep international lineup chasing fast times on one of Asia’s premier courses.

The mass start field in Shanghai will once again deliver the energy and depth that has become a signature of this Platinum Label event, with tens of thousands of runners pouring through the city streets behind one of the strongest elite line-ups of the season. Local club runners, age-group veterans, first-time marathoners, and international amateurs will all share the course with the world’s best, creating a fast, colorful, and highly competitive atmosphere from start to finish.

With ideal late-November conditions expected and Shanghai’s reputation for producing personal bests, the mass field is poised for another year of standout performances and unforgettable marathon moments.

Kosgei Targets First Win in Two Years — and a Course Record

Brigid Kosgei, whose 2:14:04 stood as the world record from 2019 to 2023, lines up for her third marathon of the year. The 31-year-old Kenyan has been consistently sharp in 2025—second in Hamburg (2:18:26) and again in Sydney (2:18:56).

A victory in Shanghai would be her first since Abu Dhabi 2023, but the stakes go beyond winning:

• The course record stands at 2:20:36 (Yebrgual Melese, 2018).

• Pacers have been asked to roll out at 2:17:50 pace, fast enough to challenge both the course mark and the Chinese all-comers’ record (2:18:09 by Ruti Aga, 2023).

Kosgei will not be alone. Two sub-2:20 performers stand in her way:

• Irine Cheptai (KEN) — PB 2:17:51, coming off strong runs in Chicago and Boston.

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) — PB 2:18:35, part of Ethiopia’s long history of dominance here.

Ethiopian women have won 10 of the last 14 editions, and Mesfin leads their charge again.

China brings a serious contender as well.

• Zhang Deshun, the No. 3 all-time Chinese marathoner (2:20:53 at Tokyo), returns just two weeks after winning the National Games.

Add in Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) — who won marathons in Seoul and Mexico City this year — and the women’s race becomes one of the most competitive in Shanghai’s history.

Four Sub-2:04 Ethiopians Lead Men’s Lineup

The men’s race may be even deeper. Ethiopia sends a quartet capable of pushing into all-time territory:

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) — 2:02:38, fastest in the field

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) — 2:02:48, two-time Tokyo champion

• Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) — 2024 Berlin winner

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) — former Xiamen champion

Geleta has been brilliant when healthy, clocking 2:02:38 in Valencia and 2:03:51 in Tokyo this year, though he dropped out of Wuxi and the World Championships. Legese tuned up with a 1:00:54 at the New Delhi Half.

But Ethiopia is far from guaranteed victory.

Kiptoo Kipchumba Returns to Defend His Title

Kenya’s Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba, the 2023 champion, owns the Chinese all-comers’ record of 2:05:35 set in Shanghai. He hasn’t raced since placing 10th here last year, but he returns with unfinished business.

He is joined by a strong Kenyan contingent:

• Titus Kipruto — 2:04:54

• Solomon Kirwa Yego — 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter — 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich — 2:06:47

China’s biggest hope is Feng Peiyou, the second-fastest Chinese marathoner ever (2:07:06). A small improvement would break the national record of 2:06:57.

Pacers will target 2:58/km (≈2:05:00) — fast enough to threaten Kiptoo’s all-comers’ record.

 Leading Entries

Women

• Brigid Kosgei (KEN) – 2:14:04

• Irine Chepet Cheptai (KEN) – 2:17:51

• Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) – 2:18:35

• Selly Chepyego Kaptich (KEN) – 2:20:03

• Zhang Deshun (CHN) – 2:20:53

• Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:21:36

• Veronicah Njeri Maina (KEN) – 2:24:46

• Xia Yuyu (CHN) – 2:25:45

• Wu Bing (CHN) – 2:26:01

• Li Meizhen (CHN) – 2:27:51

• Shen Ni (CHN) – 2:28:47

• Huang Xuemei (CHN) – 2:29:51

Men

• Deresa Geleta (ETH) – 2:02:38

• Birhanu Legese (ETH) – 2:02:48

• Dawit Wolde (ETH) – 2:03:48

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 2:04:42

• Titus Kipruto (KEN) – 2:04:54

• Philimon Kiptoo Kipchumba (KEN) – 2:05:35

• Solomon Kirwa Yego (KEN) – 2:05:42

• Kenneth Keter (KEN) – 2:05:53

• Edmond Kipngetich (KEN) – 2:06:47

• Feng Peiyou (CHN) – 2:07:06

• Challa Gossa (ETH) – 2:07:32

• Wu Xiangdong (CHN) – 2:08:04

The streets of New York witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in recent marathon history as Benson Kipruto of Kenya edged compatriot Alexander Mutiso by fractions of a second to win the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon. Both men were clocked at 2:08:09, with Kipruto leaning ahead in the final meters of Central Park to claim the title.

The victory marked a triumphant return to the top for Kipruto, who has previously won the Boston and Chicago Marathons. On a day when tactics mattered as much as fitness, he delivered a perfectly timed surge to secure the crown.

Alexander Mutiso finished a close second in 2:08:09, just 0.16 seconds behind, while 2021 New York champion Albert Korir completed the Kenyan sweep in third with a time of 2:08:57. Great Britain’s Patrick Dever ran a superb debut marathon to finish fourth in 2:08:58, and Swiss athlete Matthias Kyburz crossed the line fifth in 2:09:55.

All eyes were on Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion and marathon world record holder, making his long-awaited debut in New York. The legendary Kenyan started conservatively and remained in the lead pack through halfway, but the relentless climbs and bridges of the course eventually took their toll. Kipchoge finished 17th in 2:14:36, smiling as he crossed the line, suggesting this could be his final appearance at a World Marathon Major.

Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele also started among the favorites but faded after the 30-kilometer mark and did not finish the race. His withdrawal, along with Kipchoge’s struggles, highlighted the unique difficulty of New York’s course—one that tests strategy and strength more than sheer speed.

Despite the absence of a record-breaking time, the 2025 edition of the TCS New York City Marathon delivered unforgettable drama. The Kenyan trio’s podium sweep reaffirmed the country’s dominance in distance running, while thousands of runners from across the globe once again turned the streets of the five boroughs into a festival of endurance and inspiration.

Top 10 Men’s Results – 2025 TCS New York City Marathon:

1. Benson Kipruto (Kenya) – 2:08:09

2. Alexander Mutiso (Kenya) – 2:08:09

3. Albert Korir (Kenya) – 2:08:57

4. Patrick Dever (Great Britain) – 2:08:58

5. Matthias Kyburz (Switzerland) – 2:09:55

6. Joel Reichow (United States) – 2:09:56

7. Charles Hicks (United States) – 2:09:59

8. Sondre Moen (Norway) – 2:10:15

9. Tsegay Weldlibanos (Eritrea) – 2:10:36

10. Joe Klecker (United States) – 2:10:37

Eliud Kipchoge finished 17th in 2:14:36.

Kenenisa Bekele did not finish (DNF).

Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, the third-fastest marathoner in history with a 2:01:41 personal best from Berlin 2019, has officially been added to the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon elite men’s field — setting up yet another thrilling clash with Eliud Kipchoge.

Bekele, now 43, withdrew from April’s London Marathon due to recurring injuries that disrupted his buildup. His most recent marathon finish came at the Paris Olympic Marathon, where he placed 39th in 2:12:24. Despite the setback, Bekele’s experience and resilience continue to make him one of the sport’s most compelling figures.

This year’s New York City Marathon will mark Bekele’s sixth career race against Kipchoge, the reigning Olympic champion and former world record holder. Bekele’s only “victory” in that rivalry came at the Paris Olympics, when Kipchoge dropped out mid-race.

Bekele’s addition brings new intrigue to a field already rich in talent and storylines. While New York’s undulating course rarely produces record times, it remains one of the most prestigious and unpredictable races on the global marathon calendar — a true test of strategy and mental strength.

Notably absent from the 2025 lineup is Evans Chebet, the 2022 NYC Marathon champion and last year’s runner-up. Chebet has withdrawn from this year’s race after failing to finish at the Boston Marathon in April.

As the countdown begins, all eyes turn to Central Park, where two of the greatest marathoners of all time — Bekele and Kipchoge — are set to renew their rivalry on one of the world’s toughest stages.

Will Bekele’s comeback write a new chapter in marathon history, or will Kipchoge’s consistency once again define the day? On November 2, New York will have its answer.

Two years apart, on the same streets of Chicago, two East African greats delivered marathon performances that will be remembered for generations.

In 2023, Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum stunned the world with his 2:00:35 world record, a run that redefined endurance and perfection.

In 2025, Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, already the half marathon world record holder, returned to Chicago for his second career marathon and clocked 2:02:23 — his personal best and the seventh-fastest marathon ever run.

Split by Split — The Chicago Comparison

How They Ran

Kelvin Kiptum (2023):

Kiptum ran one of the most perfectly executed marathons in history. After a steady opening half in 1:00:48, he unleashed a ferocious negative split of 59:47, the fastest second half ever recorded. His closing 10K in 27:52 sealed a new world record and forever changed how we think about the marathon.

Jacob Kiplimo (2025):

After finishing second in his marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon, Kiplimo arrived in Chicago more prepared — and fearless. From the start, he attacked the course, opening in 13:58 for 5K, the fastest ever in Chicago. Through 30K, he was over a minute ahead of Kiptum’s world-record pace. Although he slowed slightly in the final 10K, his 2:02:23 finish was the fastest ever by an Ugandan and the 7th-fastest marathon in history.

⚖️ The Contrast

• Strategy: Kiptum’s patience vs. Kiplimo’s aggression.

• Halfway: Kiplimo led by 32 seconds at 21.1K.

• Closing Power: Kiptum’s final 7K (13:51 split) remains unmatched.

• Outcome: Kiplimo’s performance wasn’t a world record, but it confirmed his place among the greatest marathoners of his generation.

Legacy and Continuation

Tragically, Kelvin Kiptum was killed in a car accident in Kenya in February 2024, just months after his world-record run. His passing shocked the running world and ended the career of a man many believed would one day break two hours on a record-eligible course.

When Jacob Kiplimo returned to Chicago in 2025, it felt like a continuation of that story — a symbolic passing of the torch. Running on the same course where Kiptum made history, Kiplimo carried forward the East African legacy of excellence, courage, and speed.

Final Thoughts

Kiptum’s 2:00:35 remains the marathon’s gold standard — calm, controlled, and utterly brilliant.

Kiplimo’s 2:02:23 showed fearless front-running and a promise of what’s still to come.

Two men. Two races. One city.

Chicago — where the modern marathon’s greatest chapters continue to be written.

- - - 

The 9 Fastest Men’s Marathons of All Time (as of Oct 13, 2025)

Two years ago, Asimarech Naga was a promising Ethiopian steeplechaser. Now, at 26, she’s set to contend for the $25,000 CDN first-place prize at the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 19.

“If it is God’s will, I want to win as I am preparing well for it,” she said. “I know the Toronto Waterfront Marathon is the biggest marathon in Canada and the course is flat. I am so excited to be there for the first time and do something great.”

From Track to the Roads

Nagging injuries from track spikes pushed Naga to pivot in 2023, joining the legendary coach Haji Adillo’s marathon training group. The move quickly paid off: she won the Dublin Marathon in 2:24:13, setting a new course record, and followed up with a 2:24:21 runner-up finish at the Wuxi Marathon in China earlier this year.

Now, she heads to Toronto—a World Athletics Elite Label race—ready to test herself again. “I have so many strong athletes [to train with], and the coaching program is great. It is really helping me,” she said.

Her inspiration dates back to elementary school, crediting a supportive sport teacher and citing Olympic legend Derartu Tulu—the first Black African woman to win Olympic gold (1992 Barcelona, 10,000m)—as her role model.

Coach Haji’s Confidence

Accompanying her to Toronto will be Haji Adillo himself. Known for guiding Olympic and World champions, Haji believes Naga is ready for a breakthrough:

“If everything goes as planned, and with a good pacer, she will run 2:22 or 2:23.”

His training group has featured icons like Tirunesh Dibaba, Kenenisa Bekele, and Lelisa Desisa, and his most cherished coaching memory remains Mare Dibaba’s 2017 World Championships win—Ethiopia’s first women’s marathon world title.

Haji’s Own Path

Before coaching, Haji was a 2:12 marathoner and a classmate of Haile Gebrselassie. Health issues ended his racing career, but his athletes have since won countless medals:

“Too many to count… maybe over a thousand,” he said with a smile.

Rising Star in the Making?

With her sharp progression, proven ability to win big races, and Haji’s belief in her potential, Asimarech Naga arrives in Toronto as one of the most exciting marathon talents to watch.

Could she be the next Ethiopian star to break through on the world stage?

Ethiopia’s Mulugeta Uma, the 2024 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon champion, has confirmed he will return to Canada’s premier road race on October 19 to defend his title. The 27-year-old says his focus is clear:

“My aim is to run a fast time but if I am unable to run a fast time I must win the race.”

Podium Rematch

Uma’s addition to the field sets up an exciting reunion with the two men who joined him on last year’s podium. Kenya’s Dominic Ngeno, who finished second in 2024, and Noah Kipkemboi, who claimed third, have already been confirmed for this World Athletics Elite Label race.

Though Uma won Toronto last year in 2:07:16, he has proven he can run much faster. His personal best of 2:05:33 came at the 2024 Paris Marathon, and he clocked 2:05:46 for fifth place earlier this year at the prestigious Tokyo Marathon, a World Marathon Major.

Remembering Toronto 2024

Uma recalls how last year’s Toronto victory unfolded dramatically.

“After halfway, no one was willing to lead but the Kenyan athlete (Ngeno) had a big surge and disappeared from our sight,” he remembers.

“We decided to leave him and thought we were going for second place. After a while I decided to try my best to catch him and, finally, I caught him and managed to win the race.”

His win earned him $20,000 CAD—a payday that has since risen to $25,000 for the 2025 edition. Beyond the prize money, Uma says he enjoyed his first visit to Canada’s largest city.

“I enjoyed the course and had an amazing experience in Toronto. I do have friends there and they are the ones who took me sightseeing.”

From Waliso to the World Stage

Born in Waliso, about 100 kilometers southwest of Addis Ababa, Uma grew up in a farming family. Inspired by Ethiopia’s Olympic heroes, he pursued running as a child and quickly made a name for himself in the 1,500m, winning silver at the 2014 Olympic Youth Games and the 2015 IAAF World Youth Championships.

But his career was derailed when he ruptured his Achilles tendon—an injury he attributes to racing in spikes. It forced him into a seven-year hiatus.

His return to the sport was fueled by watching his hero, Kenenisa Bekele, transition to the roads.

“Kenenisa was the athlete who inspired me. I was eager to achieve what he did on the track. Annoyingly, my injury prevented me from the track racing I loved, but still my role model showed me I could run sub-2:02. I am working hard to run a fast time like him.”

Bekele, a three-time Olympic champion, famously ran 2:01:41 in Berlin in 2019—just two seconds shy of the then world record.

Family and Future Goals

Uma is married to Bone Chuluka, who represented Ethiopia at two World Cross Country Championships, winning medals in the mixed relay event. The couple, who currently have no children, train together as they pursue their athletic goals.

Looking ahead to October, Uma has his eyes not just on defending his crown but also on history. The course record in Toronto remains 2:05:00, set in 2019 by Kenya’s Philemon Rono.

Asked if he might challenge that mark, his response was simple:

“Yes, why not?”

Few would doubt his ability to deliver.

Over 130 KATA athletes will compete alongside many other runners in a field expected to be the deepest yet, all chasing glory and a share of 100,000 KES in prize money.

When the 5th Annual KATA Double Road Race returns to Thika on September 20, it will not be just another date on the calendar. It will be a celebration of endurance, strategy, and Kenyan running tradition. And at the heart of it all will be Edwin Soi, the Olympic bronze medalist whose longevity and tactical brilliance have made him one of Kenya’s most respected distance runners.

This year’s event also offers a prize purse of 100,000 KES, making the stakes even higher.

“Over 130 KATA athletes are expected to be on the line, joined by many more competitors from across the country and beyond,” says KATA founder Bob Anderson. “I am so proud of our KATA family and what we are building. This is just the beginning—athletics fueled by hard work and growing KATA potatoes.”

The Challenge of the Double

The Double is unlike any other race. Athletes first run a 10K, then take a halftime break where food and drink are provided as they prepare for the second leg. They return to the start line for a 5K. This is a two-leg event, and the times from each leg are added together for the final score.

For Soi—still formidable with career bests of 27:14 (10,000m) and 12:51 (5,000m)—the race is as much about mental strength as physical preparation.

“While others might wonder if they can even start the second race, my mind is already on pacing, form, and tactics,” Soi says. “Years of hard training and the right mental approach make a world record achievable.”

A Visionary Race with Kenyan Roots

The Double Road Race was created by Bob Anderson, founder of Runner’s World, to combine endurance with strategy. After pilot events in Mexico, the first official Double took place in Pleasanton, California, in 2012 with nearly 1,400 runners (5th photo).  

Kenya quickly became a natural home. In 2014, races in Thika and Nyahururu introduced the longer Double 21K. By 2021, the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA)—also founded by Anderson—hosted Africa’s first Double 15K. Last year, Shadrack Kenduiywo (4th photo) set the world best of 42:34 on the Thika course, cementing Kenya’s place as the epicenter of the Double.

Soi’s Enduring Fire

At 39, Soi has experienced the full arc of an elite career. His defining moment remains the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won bronze in the 5,000m behind Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele.

“Just making the Kenyan Olympic team drove me to push beyond limits,” Soi recalls. “I carried the hopes of more than 30 million Kenyans on my shoulders, and that choice ultimately led to my Olympic medal. My life changed—and my legacy changed.”

Since then, Soi has collected world championship medals and road titles worldwide. But today, what sets him apart is not only his victories but also his willingness to mentor and build the future.

Building Futures at KATA

Soi now heads the Kuresoi training camp under the KATA umbrella, guiding a new generation of athletes. His mentorship blends running discipline with life lessons, extending beyond training sessions.

KATA supports athletes with housing, nutrition, and income from sustainable farming projects like potato cultivation—ensuring both food security and financial independence. For Soi, this holistic model is crucial.

“I was fortunate to be mentored, and I feel a deep responsibility to pass that on. My victory will be in their success,” he says.

He also stresses integrity. With doping controversies tarnishing Kenyan athletics, Soi is determined to show that excellence can come from discipline, clean sport, and mentorship.

Why Thika Matters

The Thika Double has become more than a race; it is a stage where Kenyan athletes showcase strategy and resilience to the world. For the community, it is a festival of pride. For Soi, it is a chance to extend his legacy—competing for the clock, for his athletes, and for the values he believes in.

When the starter’s gun sounds on September 20, Soi will not only be racing 10K, resting, and running 5K. He will be carrying with him the arc of his career—from Olympic glory to mentorship—and the hopes of a new generation ready to follow in his footsteps.

The Double demands more than speed. It asks for resilience, intelligence, and composure. And with Edwin Soi on the line in Thika, chasing the world record, it promises to be a race—and a story—that inspires far beyond the finish.

It speaks volumes about a marathon when podium finishers are eager to come back. Last year, Kenya’s Dominic Ngeno finished runner-up at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Now, from his home in Iten, he confirms he will return for this year’s edition on October 19.

“It was an amazing race last year and I learned a lot,” he says with a grin. “The race was good. I am coming now to combat. I was so happy that the fans were cheering us all the way in the streets. It was so amazing.”

Finding his stride in Iten

In recent months, Ngeno has made some important changes. He left his training base in Kaptagat to return home to Iten, 2,400m above sea level — the famed “Home of Champions.” The switch has made him happier and, he believes, stronger. The proof came at the 2025 Paris Marathon, where he finished 5th in a new personal best of 2:06:37.

“I ran 2:06:37 in Paris and it is a hard course,” he explains. “It is not like Toronto. Last year I feared Toronto was tough because for a few years guys were running 2:09 or 2:10. But when I finished, I saw it was good. Paris compared to Toronto? Toronto is a nice course.”

Training with purpose

Speaking via WhatsApp video, he animatedly describes his training and credits his group of six training partners with pushing him forward. Just before the interview he had run 20km in the evening, then 10km the following morning, with a demanding session of 15 x 1km intervals planned later that day. Every couple of weeks he adds a 40km long run.

“When I am not training, I am resting in the compound — just sleeping,” he says with a smile. “Sleeping is part of the training program. After lunch I sleep, then go for training. When I come back, I take tea and wait for dinner.”

Like many Kenyan athletes, he still makes time to follow English Premier League football.

“Yeah, I am a big fan of Chelsea — the Blues,” he laughs. “My favourite player used to be Didier Drogba, but now it is Cole Palmer.”

A latecomer with big dreams

Ngeno turns 28 on September 3rd, still relatively new to the marathon. After high school he played soccer, then studied in Eldoret for two years, where he met some of Kenya’s top runners. But it was a chance encounter at a 2021 cross country meet with Amos Kipruto — the 2022 London Marathon champion and 2019 world bronze medalist — that shifted his focus.

“We had some small interactions,” Ngeno recalls. “He really inspired me because he didn’t run so many half marathons, and his dream came true after he started running marathons. That inspired me. I ran only two half marathons before deciding to be a marathoner full time.”

Building a future beyond running

Professional running offers him a chance to secure a brighter future. A contract with Asics helps, but he is also investing wisely.

“There is life after running so you need to invest whatever you get,” he says. “Now I have a small business — I have electronics stores and I am also farming. After running I will work with my family and grow that. I have shops and people who work for me. Whenever someone needs something like a television, they can go there.”

Looking ahead

Some of the greatest marathoners — Haile Gebrselassie, Kenenisa Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge — have thrived well into their late 30s. Ngeno believes he has another decade at the top and is motivated by the possibility of representing his country.

“First, I love running, and because I love running I want to run my best and change my life,” he declares. “I want to be the best. I have that dream of running for Kenya. This year when they were selecting the team I was not far from selection. I believe soon I will run for Team Kenya — maybe at the World Championships or Olympic Games.”

For now, his focus is firmly on the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon, where he aims to take on a world-class field and turn last year’s second place into victory.

Joshua Cheptegei, one of the greatest distance runners of his generation, has officially confirmed he will not compete at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Instead, the Ugandan superstar will focus exclusively on preparing for the 50th TCS Amsterdam Marathon, set for October 19, 2025.

This marks the first time since 2015 that Cheptegei will miss a World Championships—a clear signal that his transition from track to road is now complete.

A Strategic Shift to the Marathon

After winning gold in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics and setting world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, Cheptegei is now dedicating himself to mastering the marathon distance.

He made his marathon debut in Valencia (2023) with a 2:08:59, then followed up with an impressive 2:05:59 in Tokyo earlier this year. Those performances gave him the confidence to commit fully to the roads.

“I’m excited for this next chapter in my career,” Cheptegei told Ugandan media. “My full focus is now on the marathon. Amsterdam is the perfect opportunity to show what I’m capable of.”

Why He’s Skipping Worlds

The decision to sit out the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo this September, comes down to two key factors:

1. Marathon Focus

Cheptegei has officially stepped away from the track to dedicate his training and energy toward long-term marathon success. The Amsterdam Marathon is his main priority this fall, and all preparations are centered around peaking on race day.

2. Tight Schedule & Recovery Demands

As part of his buildup, Cheptegei is scheduled to race the Antrim Coast Half Marathon on August 24, just three weeks before the World Championships. Running both would compromise his recovery and risk injury.

“We had to make a decision, and the priority is a strong marathon in Amsterdam,” said his coaching team.

Legacy on the Line

With the track chapter closed, Cheptegei is looking to solidify his status as a distance running legend on the roads. A strong performance in Amsterdam—especially against top names like Tamirat Tola—could place him firmly in the conversation among the world’s best marathoners.

His move is reminiscent of past greats like Kenenisa Bekele and Mo Farah, who also shifted focus to the marathon after dominating the track.

Amsterdam 50th Annual Marathon

The 2025 edition of the Amsterdam Marathon marks the race’s 50th anniversary, making it one of the most anticipated events on the global road racing calendar. Known for its flat, fast course and scenic route through the historic streets and canals of Amsterdam, the race has become a favorite for elite athletes chasing personal bests and record times.

This year’s milestone edition is expected to draw a deep international field and heightened media attention, especially with stars like Joshua Cheptegei and Tamirat Tola headlining the men’s race. Organizers are planning special celebrations and tributes to the event’s rich history, ensuring the 2025 race is both competitive and commemorative.

Swedish distance star Andreas Almgren delivered the race of his life at the Stockholm Diamond League, clocking a breathtaking 12:44.27 to win the men’s 5000m and send shockwaves through the global distance running world. His time not only shattered the European Record (ER) and the meet record, but it also catapulted him into the top 10 fastest performers in history, now ranking #8 all-time.

The home crowd in Stockholm witnessed a historic moment as Almgren, traditionally known for his prowess over 800m and 1500m, made a stunning statement in the long-distance arena. He became the first European ever to dip under 12:45 and now holds the fastest 5000m time ever run by a European athlete, surpassing Spain’s Mohamed Katir (12:45.01 from 2023).

? Top Results – Men’s 5000m (Stockholm Diamond League)

1. Andreas Almgren (Sweden) – 12:44.27 ?? ER MR

2. Kama Girma (Ethiopia) – 12:57.46 ??

3. Ky Robinson (Australia) – 12:58.38 ??

4. Mike Foppen (Netherlands) – 13:02.43 ??

5. Kenneth Kiprop (Uganda) – 13:02.69 ??

6. Denis Kipkoech (Kenya) – 13:07.02 ??

All-Time Men’s 5000m Rankings (As of June 2025)

Andreas Almgren now stands 8th on the all-time global list, behind legends like Cheptegei, Bekele, and Gebrselassie.

Pace Breakdown – Almgren’s 12:44.27

• Per kilometer: 2:32.85/km

• Per mile: 4:05.57/mile

(12:44.27 = 764.27 seconds total

5000 meters = 5 kilometers or 3.10686 miles)

A New Era in Distance Running?

The Stockholm performance underscores a growing shift in elite distance running. For decades, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda have been dominant in the 5000m and 10,000m, but Almgren’s performance—alongside strong finishes by Australia’s Ky Robinson and the Netherlands’ Mike Foppen—suggests a broader international resurgence.

As the World Championships in Tokyo loom, Almgren’s breakout raises the stakes. Can the Swede replicate this form against the likes of Cheptegei and Barega on the biggest stage of all?

One thing is clear: the race to the podium in global distance running is no longer limited to East Africa. Andreas Almgren has kicked open the door—and the world is watching.

In a performance that shook the foundations of U.S. distance running, Nico Young stormed to a stunning 12:45.27 at the Oslo Diamond League on June 12. Not only did he win the race, but he also demolished the American 5000m record, vaulting himself into the top ranks of global distance running.

The 21-year-old’s breakthrough marks the fastest 5000m ever run by an American and the fourth-fastest time in world history outdoors. His average lap was 61.4 seconds—roughly 4:06 per mile or 2:33 per kilometer—executed against one of the deepest fields ever assembled.

Standout Performances with Official Times

• Nico Young (USA) – 12:45.27 – ?? American Record

• George Mills (GBR) – 12:46.59 – ?? British National Record

• Thierry Ndikumwenayo (Burundi) – 12:47.67 – Personal Best

• Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (Switzerland) – 12:50.87 – ?? Swiss National Record

This was a race defined by speed, grit, and history-making performances. Eight athletes reportedly broke 12:51—unprecedented in Diamond League competition. National records fell on three continents.

Young’s Path to Greatness

Nico Young’s rise began at Newbury Park High School, where he set high school records and led his team to national titles. At Northern Arizona University, he continued to dominate, becoming a multi-time NCAA All-American before turning pro with Adidas.

Training under coach Mike Smith, Young has honed not just his endurance but also his race instincts—perfectly on display in Oslo as he timed his final surge to perfection against the best in the world.

A New Standard

Young’s 12:45.27 surpasses Grant Fisher’s previous American record of 12:46.96 set in 2022. His time now ranks him behind only three men in history: Joshua Cheptegei, Kenenisa Bekele, and Hagos Gebrhiwet.

With this performance, Nico Young has redefined what’s possible for American distance runners and firmly positioned himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.

From Olympic bronze to farming for the future, Edwin Soi’s journey reflects both speed and sustainability.

In the world of distance running, Edwin Soi is a name etched in excellence. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Soi captured the bronze medal in the 5000 meters, finishing with a time of 13:06.22behind Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge—an iconic race that cemented his place among the greats of Kenyan running.

Now, over 15 years later, Soi continues to perform at an elite level. In early 2025, he placed on the podium at a major half marathon in Poland, proving that his speed and endurance have stood the test of time. But the accomplished Olympian is now expanding his impact beyond the track.

This year, Soi has teamed up with Bob Anderson, the founder of Runner’s World and the visionary behind the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA). Together, they are launching a unique initiative in Kericho, Kenya that combines world-class training with sustainable farming.

“I am very excited to be working with Bob Anderson on this new, unique program,” says Soi. “Bob has created something very special for athletes, and combining it with his ideas about farming KATA Potatoes gives us the opportunity to be sustainable. It’s perfect.”

A Vision Rooted in History

Bob Anderson’s connection to Kenyan running spans nearly four decades.

“I first traveled to Kenya in 1987 and saw and met many runners. I knew then that a program like what we have now set up was needed,” Anderson explains. “I returned with my wife Catherine in 2014 and met Elam and Joel. That’s when the idea for the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy (KATA) in Thika really started to take shape.”

KATA officially opened in 2019, offering elite Kenyan athletes a base to train and grow. But the vision didn’t stop there.

In 2023, Anderson and longtime friend Brock Hinzmann (last photo) a 2:19 marathoner from Los Altos Hills, California, piloted the first KATA farm. The goal was to integrate agriculture into athlete development—creating a model where training and sustainability go hand in hand.

“We established a KATA farm in 2023 working with Brock, but the program needed some refinements. I finalized our new format in May of 2025. I told Edwin Soi about our program and he told me he loved the idea and jumped right on it,” says Anderson.

Kuresoi: A New Chapter

Now, with Soi’s leadership, the KATA Running Camp and Potato Farm in Kuresoi is set to become a flagship model for the future. Athletes will not only receive top-level training from one of the greatest distance runners of his generation, but they’ll also participate in sustainable farming practices—planting, maintaining, and harvesting KATA-branded potatoes.

The program provides housing, coaching, food, and competition opportunities—with the added benefit of long-term revenue from agriculture. It’s a model designed not just to develop athletes, but to support their lives beyond running.

“Edwin Soi brings credibility, passion, and wisdom to this project,” says Anderson. “It’s not just about winning races anymore—it’s about building something that lasts.”

Looking Ahead

With KATA camps now expanding across Kenya—including recent launches in Kapcherop, Molo, Nyandarua, and Kuresoi—the partnership between Bob Anderson and Edwin Soi represents a new chapter in Kenyan running. One where elite performance and local empowerment go hand in hand.

Soi’s journey—from Olympic bronze to coaching, mentoring, and planting the seeds of a new future—demonstrates what’s possible when world-class talent meets a visionary purpose.

When it comes to distance running, no two countries are more dominant—or more frequently compared—than Kenya and Ethiopia. From 5Ks to marathons, athletes from these East African nations consistently top podiums and rewrite record books. But while the results may look similar, the paths to victory are often quite different.

Altitude Advantage, Different Terrains

Both Kenya and Ethiopia benefit from high-altitude environments that naturally boost endurance. Kenya’s top training hubs, like Iten and Eldoret, sit between 7,000 and 8,000 feet. Ethiopia’s Bekoji and Sululta offer similar elevations. But terrain matters too: Kenya’s roads are often red clay or uneven gravel, ideal for building strength and resilience. Ethiopia’s runners more frequently train on hills and mountain trails, with steeper and more demanding climbs integrated into daily runs.

Training Philosophies Diverge

Kenyan training is rooted in simplicity and rhythm. Athletes often meet for large group sessions, with a strong focus on tempo runs, long-distance efforts, and unstructured fartleks. The vibe is community-oriented and competitive—if someone surges, the group follows.

In contrast, Ethiopia’s elite training tends to be more individualized and coach-driven. Athletes follow structured schedules with clearly defined paces, recovery sessions, and high-intensity track workouts. The approach is more scientific, and recovery days are strictly observed.

Daily Life and Recovery

Kenyan runners typically live together in camps, waking early to train, followed by long periods of rest. A second run often comes in the late afternoon, and the lifestyle emphasizes minimal distractions.

Ethiopian runners may train in smaller groups and return home between sessions. There’s more variety in how the day is structured, though the focus on discipline remains.

(Photos) Kenyan Training in Iten and Eldoret 

1. Mass Training Run in Iten

A striking image capturing a large group of Kenyan runners during a typical morning session on the red dirt roads of Iten, known as the “Home of Champions.”

2. Track Workouts in Eldoret

Kenyan marathon runners engaging in interval training at the athletics track in Eldoret, highlighting their emphasis on group cohesion and endurance.

(Photos) Ethiopian Training in Bekoji and Sululta

3. Group Training in Bekoji

A glimpse into a training session in Bekoji, Ethiopia, showcasing runners on a dirt track, emphasizing their structured and coach-led routines.

4. Trail Running in Sululta

Ethiopian athletes navigating through forested trails in Sululta, reflecting their focus on varied terrains and natural environments.

Fueling for Success

Diet is another point of contrast. Kenyan athletes often eat ugali, a maize-based dish, with sukuma wiki (collard greens) and beans. Meals are consistent, simple, and heavy on carbohydrates. Hydration includes local teas and water, with little emphasis on supplements.

In Ethiopia, injera (a sour flatbread made from teff) is the foundation, served with protein-rich stews like shiro or doro wat. Teff is rich in iron and slow-digesting carbs—making it a valuable fuel for endurance.

Cultural and Coaching Influence

In Kenya, many athletes are inspired by runners from their own village or region—legends like Eliud Kipchoge or David Rudisha have inspired thousands. Training is often passed down through generations informally.

In Ethiopia, there’s a more centralized coaching system and support from the national federation. Greats like Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele have helped shape a more formal pathway from local clubs to the world stage.

Different Roads, Same Finish Line

Despite the differences, the results speak for themselves: both countries continue to dominate. Kenya may have the edge in the marathon, while Ethiopia consistently excels in 10K and track events. Together, they’ve redefined what’s possible in distance running.

Alex Matata delivered a dominant performance at the 20th Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon, clocking 59:40 despite windy conditions. The Kenyan’s effort was the third-fastest winning time in the event’s history and placed him more than a minute ahead of his closest competitor. Ethiopia’s Berehanu Tsegu finished second in 60:47, while Kenya’s Shadrack Kipkurui took third in 61:28.

On the women’s side, Miriam Chebet produced a thrilling late surge to overtake defending champion Sheila Chelangat, claiming victory in 66:07—the fourth-fastest winning time in Istanbul history. Chelangat crossed the line six seconds later in 66:13, while fellow Kenyan Judy Kemboi secured third with a time of 67:47.

The race was staged just four days after a minor earthquake shook Istanbul, but with no casualties or significant damage reported, the event went ahead as scheduled. A record 16,000 runners participated across the half marathon and a 10K held in parallel. The event holds a World Athletics Gold Label status.

How the Races Unfolded

Matata made his move early, breaking away from a 12-man lead pack just after the 7K mark. Passing 10K in 28:41 and 15K in 42:39, he steadily built his advantage. Despite a slower start and gusty winds, the 27-year-old closed fast to secure a time well under one hour.

“It was really windy, so I couldn’t hit my goal of sub-59, but winning was a great outcome,” said Matata, who also won the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February.

Turkey’s Sezgin Atac finished a strong fifth in 61:49, emerging as the top European and improving significantly in just his second half marathon. “Without the wind, I might have run even faster,” Atac said, crediting his Ethiopian training block for his breakthrough performance.

In the women’s race, Chelangat made an aggressive move early, passing 5K in 15:28 and 10K in 31:05 with a growing lead. However, Chebet stayed within striking distance and reeled her in by the 13K mark. Chelangat attempted one final push with 4K to go but could not hold off Chebet’s closing sprint.

“I am really happy to win. The wind didn’t affect me too much, but catching Sheila in the final meters was tough,” said 22-year-old Chebet, who chopped 36 seconds off her personal best.

Seven women broke 69 minutes, showing the depth of the women’s field.

Men

1. Alex Matata (KEN) – 59:40

2. Berehanu Tsegu (ETH) – 60:47

3. Shadrack Kipkurui (KEN) – 61:28

4. Mathew Samperu (KEN) – 61:32

5. Sezgin Atac (TUR) – 61:49

6. Aaron Bienenfeld (GER) – 62:14

7. Laban Kipkemboi (KEN) – 62:34

8. Gemechu Bute (ETH) – 62:35

9. Silas Chepkwony (KEN) – 63:47

10. Ali Kaya (TUR) – 64:52

Women

1. Miriam Chebet (KEN) – 66:07

2. Sheila Chelangat (KEN) – 66:13

3. Judy Kemboi (KEN) – 67:47

4. Daisilah Jerono (KEN) – 68:17

5. Rebecca Chepkwemoi (KEN) – 68:40

6. Gete Alemayehu (KEN) – 68:42

7. Bekelech Borecha (ETH) – 68:59

8. Hiwot Gebremaryam (ETH) – 70:04

9. Betelihem Yemer (ETH) – 70:10

10. Milicent Jelimo (KEN) – 70:25

The 20th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon is set to take place this Sunday, April 27, with a record number of runners and some of the strongest elite fields in the event’s history. Recognized as Türkiye’s premier road race and holding World Athletics Gold Label status, the race will once again highlight Istanbul’s growing stature on the global running calendar.

Race Director Renay Onur confirmed the event will go ahead as scheduled, noting that preparations remain on track and there is no cause for concern after a minor earthquake earlier in the week.

“We are proud to host the 20th edition of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon with a record number of participants. Life continues as usual here in Türkiye—including in sport,” said Onur.

Organizers expect around 17,000 runners, including those in the parallel 10K event. The half marathon will start at 9:15 AM local time.

Men’s Race: Eyes on a Sub-59 Performance

With a course record of 59:15, the men’s field includes several contenders capable of pushing the pace.

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) leads the entries with a personal best of 59:06 and is coming off a 2:05:42 marathon victory in Seoul.

• Alex Matata (KEN), winner of the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in February with 59:20, has requested pacers for a sub-59:00 effort.

• Berehanu Tsegu (ETH), who clocked 59:42 in Lisbon and recently finished second in the Dubai Marathon with 2:05:14, adds further depth.

“I still want to run faster—into the 58s or even 57s,” Matata said, hinting that a breakthrough performance could come in Istanbul.

Women’s Race: Chelangat Returns, Kemboi Leads

Defending champion Sheila Chelangat (KEN) returns after a standout 2024 season in which she ran four personal bests, including 66:06 in Valencia. But she’ll face a formidable challenge from Judy Kemboi (KEN), who clocked 65:43 in Copenhagen and recently ran 66:34 in Ras Al Khaimah.

Kemboi, in strong form, will be paced by her fiancé Crispus Korir on Sunday—a rare personal touch in elite competition.

With six women on the start list holding PBs under 67:00, the race promises to be one of the most competitive yet. The course record of 64:02, set by Ruth Chepngetich during the pandemic in 2021, is likely out of reach, but fast times are still expected.

Elite Start Lists

MEN

• Haftu Teklu (ETH) – 59:06

• Alex Matata (KEN) – 59:20

• Berehanu Tsegu (ETH) – 59:42

• Callum Hawkins (GBR) – 60:00

• Gemechu Bute (ETH) – 60:03

• Ali Kaya (TUR) – 60:16

• Mathew Samperu (KEN) – 60:27

• Shadrack Kipkurui (KEN) – 60:40

• Abel Mutai (KEN) – 61:00

• Aaron Bienenfeld (GER) – 61:39

• Laban Kipkemboi (KEN) – 62:01

WOMEN

• Judy Kemboi (KEN) – 65:43

• Sheila Chelangat (KEN) – 66:06

• Fikrte Wereta (ETH) – 66:28

• Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) – 66:28

• Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 66:35

• Gete Alemayehu (ETH) – 66:37

• Miriam Chebet (KEN) – 66:43

• Betelihem Afenigus (ETH) – 66:46

• Zewditu Aderaw (ETH) – 67:38

• Cynthia Kosgei (KEN) – 68:29

• Daisilah Jerono (KEN) – 69:44

• Fridah Ndinda (KEN) – 69:49

• Kristina Hendel (GER) – 70:38

Event Details

• Date: Sunday, April 27

• Start Time: 9:15 AM local time

• Livestream Available 

On April 6, 2025, North Korea hosted the Pyongyang International Marathon for the first time since 2019, marking a significant step in the country’s reopening following pandemic-induced isolation. The event attracted over 500 participants, including more than 200 international runners from over 40 countries. However, athletes from the United States, South Korea, and Malaysia were reportedly barred from participating due to ongoing political tensions.  

The marathon commenced at Kim Il Sung Stadium, where a crowd of over 50,000 spectators cheered on the runners. The course took participants through central Pyongyang, showcasing the city’s landmarks, before extending into the surrounding countryside and returning to the stadium.  

Elite Marathon Results

Men’s Division:

1. Pak Kum Dong (DPR Korea) – 2:12:08

2. Bekele Girma Metaferia (Ethiopia) – 2:12:27

3. Jon Kwang Myong (DPR Korea) – 2:13:29

Women’s Division:

1. Jon Su Gyong (DPR Korea) – 2:25:48

2. Choe Il Gyong (DPR Korea) – 2:26:05

3. Cha Kwon Ju (DPR Korea) – 2:26:24

In the amateur category, Wojciech Kopec from Poland led the men’s marathon with a time of 2:30:39, while Ho Oi Yung from Hong Kong topped the women’s amateur division, finishing in 3:48:05.

The event also featured half-marathon, 10K, and 5K races. In the elite half-marathon, Ryang Choe Guk (DPR Korea) won the men’s race in 1:12:19, and Kan Ryon Hui (DPR Korea) secured the women’s title with a time of 1:16:32.

The Pyongyang International Marathon serves as a significant cultural event, coinciding with celebrations for the April 15 birthday of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung. The successful hosting of the marathon indicates a gradual reopening of the country to international events and visitors.

The marathon world has long been captivated by the elusive sub-two-hour barrier. While Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 in Vienna 2019 showcased human potential, it occurred under controlled conditions and isn’t recognized as an official world record. As the 2025 TCS London Marathon approaches on April 27, the question arises: Could this be the race where history is officially rewritten?

The Elite Field: A Convergence of Legends and Rising Stars

London’s 2025 lineup is arguably its most formidable yet. Eliud Kipchoge, the four-time London champion and former world record holder (2:01:09), returns to a course he has dominated. Joining him is Kenenisa Bekele, the third-fastest marathoner ever (2:01:41), seeking redemption after a close second-place finish in 2024. The field also features Olympic champion Tamirat Tola, reigning London champion Alexander Mutiso, and debutant Jacob Kiplimo, who holds the half marathon world record at 56:42.

“The elite field for London is loaded, but my pick (if I must) is Jacob Kiplimo after watching him destroy the half marathon record,” says MBR editor Bob Anderson. “But the marathon is a different animal, and a sub-two-hour marathon is very possible. However, the weather will need to be perfect, and Jacob needs to have an ‘on’ day for it to happen. He might just go for the win. I wonder how his training has differed in preparation?”

Course and Conditions: London’s Favorable Terrain

The London Marathon’s flat and fast course, combined with its sea-level altitude, provides an ideal setting for record-breaking attempts. The 2025 weather forecast predicts partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 56°F (7°C to 13°C) and minimal wind—conditions conducive to fast times.

Technological Advancements: The Role of Innovation

Modern advancements, notably in footwear technology, have played a significant role in recent marathon performances. The latest “super shoes” offer enhanced energy return, potentially shaving crucial seconds off elite runners’ times. Additionally, strategic pacemaking and optimized nutrition strategies are integral components in the pursuit of the sub-two-hour marathon.

The Verdict: Is Sub-Two Within Reach?

While the convergence of elite talent, favorable course conditions, and technological support makes the prospect enticing, breaking the two-hour barrier in an official race remains a monumental challenge. However, if ever there was a race poised to witness such a historic feat, the 2025 London Marathon stands as a prime candidate.

Stay tuned to My Best Runs for comprehensive coverage of the London Marathon and insights into the evolving landscape of elite distance running.

German marathon record-holder Amanal Petros is preparing for a significant milestone in his athletic career as he sets his sights on the 2025 London Marathon, scheduled for April 27, 2025. This event will mark his inaugural participation in the London Marathon, where he will compete alongside an elite field featuring renowned athletes such as Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. Petros’s personal best of 2:04:58, achieved at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, positions him as a formidable contender in this prestigious race.

A Journey of Resilience and Achievement

Born on May 17, 1995, in Assab, Eritrea, Petros’s early life was marked by adversity. At the age of two, his family fled the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict, seeking refuge in Ethiopia. In 2012, as a teenager, Petros embarked on a journey to Germany, where he sought asylum and eventually acquired citizenship in 2015. It was in Germany that he discovered his passion and talent for long-distance running, setting the stage for a series of remarkable achievements.

Record-Breaking Performances

Petros’s dedication and perseverance have led to several national records:

• Marathon: German national record of 2:04:58, set at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.

• Half Marathon: National record of 1:00:09, achieved in Valencia on October 24, 2021.

• 10 km Road Race: National record of 27:32, set in Castellón, Spain, on February 26, 2023.

International Representation

Petros has proudly represented Germany on the international stage:

• Olympic Games: Competed in the men’s marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, finishing 30th.

• European Championships: Secured a silver medal in the team marathon event and placed fourth individually at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich.

Recent Preparations and Professional Milestones

In preparation for the London Marathon, Petros participated in the eDreams Mitja Marató Barcelonaon February 16, 2025, completing the half marathon in 1:01:51. Reflecting on his performance, he stated:

“Today I ran quite far from my German record, but I am happy to run my first competition in 61:50 after the Olympic Games in Paris. Looking forward to my first marathon in London 2025.”

In addition to his athletic endeavors, Petros has recently joined the Puma Running Team, expressing enthusiasm about this new partnership and the opportunities it presents for the upcoming seasons.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 London Marathon approaches, the running community eagerly anticipates Petros’s performance. His journey from a refugee seeking asylum to a national record-holder exemplifies resilience and determination. With his eyes set on London, Petros continues to inspire and set new benchmarks in long-distance running.

The last photo

The gesture Amanal Petros is making in this photo — crossing his arms above his head — is a powerful and symbolic act.  He does not do this gesture often but his beliefs have not changed.  

This “X” gesture has been widely recognized as a sign of solidarity with the Tigray people in northern Ethiopia. It’s used by athletes and others to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis and conflict in the region, where countless civilians have suffered due to war, famine, and displacement.

Petros, who was born in Eritrea and whose roots are in Tigray, is using this moment at the finish line to make a public statement of support and raise awareness.

In a remarkable performance at The TEN 2025 meet on March 29 in San Juan Capistrano, California, University of New Mexico freshman Ishmael Kipkurui set a new NCAA 10,000-meter record with a time of 26:50.21 which is 4:19 per mile pace.  This achievement surpasses the previous record of 26:52.72, set by Northern Arizona’s Nico Young at the same event in 2024.

Kipkurui’s teammate, Habtom Samuel, also delivered an impressive performance, finishing second with a time of 26:51.06, placing both runners under the former collegiate record.  South African athlete Adrian Wildschutt of HOKA NAZ Elite secured third place, clocking 26:51.27.

Ethiopian runner Telahun Haile Bekele faced an unusual challenge, missing the official start and beginning approximately 90 meters behind the field. Despite this setback, he finished fourth with a time of 26:52.79.  American athlete Graham Blanks, representing New Balance, rounded out the top five, finishing in 26:57.30 and achieving the World Championships qualifying standard.

The race conditions were ideal, with temperatures around 55°F and minimal wind, contributing to the evening’s exceptional performances.

Kipkurui’s achievement adds to his growing list of accolades. Prior to this record-breaking run, he secured the individual title at the 2024 World U20 Cross Country Championships, leading the Kenyan team to a gold medal finish.

The TEN meet continues to solidify its reputation as a premier event for distance runners aiming for exceptional performances and records on U.S. soil.  

Jacob Kiplimo, the 24-year-old Ugandan distance running sensation, has recently captured global attention with his record-breaking performances. His upcoming marathon debut at the 2025 London Marathon has sparked widespread speculation: Could Kiplimo be the first to officially break the elusive two-hour marathon barrier?

A Record-Breaking Prelude

In February 2025, Kiplimo shattered the half marathon world record at the Barcelona Half Marathon, clocking an astonishing 56 minutes and 42 seconds. This feat not only eclipsed the previous record by 48 seconds but also showcased his exceptional endurance and speed. Reflecting on his performance, Kiplimo remarked, “I didn’t expect to break the world record… I told myself that I had to maintain that pace no matter what it took.”

Training Regimen: Balancing Quality and Volume

Kiplimo’s training approach emphasizes quality over sheer volume. Reports indicate that he typically runs between 80 to 95 miles per week, incorporating fartlek sessions, hill workouts, and threshold runs. His coach prioritizes structured, scientifically-based training, focusing on improving speed and personal bests before transitioning fully to marathon distances.

Assessing the Sub-Two-Hour Possibility

While Kiplimo’s half marathon performance suggests immense potential, translating that success to a full marathon presents distinct challenges. The physiological demands of 42.195 kilometers require not only speed but also exceptional endurance and energy management. Historically, even elite half marathoners have faced hurdles when moving up to the marathon distance. As noted in discussions about his transition, “His potential over 42.2km is massive, but marathon success isn’t just about being fast over 21.1km and doubling the effort.”

Strategic Considerations for London

Kiplimo’s race strategy for the London Marathon remains a topic of speculation. Given his aggressive approach in Barcelona, where he took the lead early and maintained a blistering pace, it’s plausible he might adopt a similar tactic in London. However, the marathon’s extended distance and the presence of seasoned competitors like Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele may influence a more measured strategy. Experts suggest that starting with a conservative pace could be advantageous, allowing Kiplimo to conserve energy for the latter stages of the race. Bob Anderson, founder of Runner’s World magazine and the Kenyan Athletics Training Academy, emphasizes the importance of early pacing: 

“The marathon is twice the distance as the half, but to go under two hours Kiplimo has to be in good enough shape to push early,” says Bob Anderson. “He showed us in Barcelona he has the guts to do it. However, he has to be on that day, the temperature has to be perfect and with no wind. It can happen.”

Community and Expert Insights

The running community is abuzz with predictions. Some enthusiasts believe that with optimal conditions, Kiplimo could achieve a sub-two-hour marathon. One commentator expressed, “With the right course and good weather, this guy is going to do a sub 2 hour marathon. Amazing!” However, others urge caution, emphasizing the unpredictability of marathon debuts and the need for experience over the full distance.

Looking Ahead to London

As the London Marathon approaches, all eyes will be on Kiplimo. His performance will not only provide insights into his marathon potential but also indicate whether the sub-two-hour barrier can be breached in an official race setting. While optimism surrounds his debut, the marathon’s unique demands mean that even athletes of Kiplimo’s caliber must approach the challenge with respect and strategic preparation.

While Jacob Kiplimo’s transition to the marathon is highly anticipated, breaking the two-hour barrier in his debut remains a formidable challenge. His journey will undoubtedly captivate the running world, offering a compelling narrative of talent, preparation, and the relentless pursuit of athletic excellence.

For elite runners, moving up in distance as they age is a natural progression History has shown this with legends like Kenenisa Bekele Haile Gebrselassie and Eliud Kipchoge all of whom transitioned from middle distance events to dominate the 5000m 10000m and eventually the marathon Now following a similar trajectory Canadian distance running star Moh Ahmed is set to make his highly anticipated half marathon debut at the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon on Sunday March 16 2025

From the Track to the Roads

Ahmed a native of St Catharines Ontario has been a force in international athletics for over a decade He has built an impressive résumé earning

• Olympic Glory Silver in the 5000m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

• World Championship Medals Bronze in the 5000m at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships

• National Records Holding Canadian records in the 5000m 124720 and 10000m 263414

As he transitions from the track to road racing Ahmed joins a long list of elite runners who have sought new challenges over longer distances His decision to step up to the half marathon has generated excitement as fans and analysts eagerly anticipate how his track speed will translate to 131 miles

The NYC Half A Premier Road Racing Test

The United Airlines NYC Half Marathon is one of the most prestigious half marathons in the world drawing elite and amateur runners alike The race begins near the Brooklyn Museum passes through Times Square one of the only times the area is closed to traffic for a race and finishes in the heart of Central Park The course presents a challenging mix of hills and fast sections making it an excellent test for Ahmeds road racing debut

Ahmed will face a strong field that includes fellow Canadian Olympian Ben Flanagan a national record holder and a formidable competitor in the event The race will be a major test of Ahmeds endurance and strategic racing skills against some of the best long distance runners in the world

Breaking Barriers in the Big Apple

To date only three runners have broken the 60 minute barrier at the NYC Half Marathon a testament to the courses difficulty If Ahmed can challenge this mark in his debut it will further solidify his potential as a future marathon star With a background of blistering track times and world class endurance his performance in New York could signal the beginning of a new era for Canadian distance running

A New Beginning

As Ahmed takes on this new challenge all eyes will be on him to see how he adapts to the demands of road racing Whether this debut is a stepping stone toward future marathon ambitions or simply an exciting new test one thing is certain Moh Ahmeds journey is far from over His transition to the half marathon is just the beginning of another thrilling chapter in his already legendary career

Top British marathoner Emile Cairess has officially withdrawn from the 2025 TCS London Marathon due to a persistent ankle tendon injury that has derailed his training. The setback forces the 27-year-old to put his pursuit of Mo Farah’s British marathon record of 2:05:11 on hold as he focuses on recovery.

Cairess, who burst onto the marathon scene as the fastest British debutant of all time in 2023 with a 2:08:07 finish, had since lowered his personal best to 2:06:46, securing third place in last year’s London Marathon behind Alex Mutiso and Kenenisa Bekele. He followed that success with a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, further solidifying his status as one of Britain’s brightest distance-running stars.

“It’s incredibly disappointing to miss London this year, especially after how well things had been progressing,” Cairess shared. “But the ankle injury has made it impossible to maintain the consistency I need. Right now, my focus is on healing properly so I can come back stronger.”

Star-Studded Field Remains

While Cairess’s absence is a blow to British hopes, the men’s elite field remains stacked with talent. Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, and Olympic champion Tamirat Tola are set to headline the race, joined by world half-marathon record-holder Jacob Kiplimo and defending champion Alex Mutiso.

On the British front, Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee will make his highly anticipated marathon debut, while Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann, both fresh from the Paris Olympics, aim to make their mark on home soil.

Women’s Elite Race Draws Global Talent

In the women’s race, Lucy Reid has also withdrawn due to injury after initially planning her London debut following a breakthrough 2:26:35 in Malaga last December. However, the competition remains fierce, with world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich, reigning Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, and Tigst Assefa—who famously shattered the Berlin Marathon record—leading the charge.

Adding to the excitement, defending champion Peres Jepchirchir will return, while British star Eilish McColgan is set to make her long-awaited marathon debut, bringing further domestic interest to the race.

While Cairess’s withdrawal is undoubtedly disappointing, the marathon season is far from over. With careful rehabilitation, he remains hopeful for a return later this year, possibly targeting the Berlin or Chicago Marathons as alternative stages for his record pursuit.

The London Marathon, meanwhile, continues to promise world-class performances, with a stellar field ready to light up the streets of the British capital come race day.

The anticipation for the 2025 London Marathon has reached new heights with the announcement of one of the strongest elite marathon fields ever assembled. This year’s race could witness history: the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon in an official competition. With world-class talent toeing the line and conditions often favorable in London, I'm excited to see how this race unfolds.

Leading the conversation is Jacob Kiplimo, the half marathon world record holder with an astonishing 56:42 recently.  Kiplimo didn't need pacers during his world record run.  He just went for it clocking unbelievable splits.  One of his 10k split would be his best time ever for that distance.  And no one had ever run 15k under 40 minutes before.  But the marathon is twice the distance.  What will his strategy be for London? Will he use his blistering speed over the full 42K and go out on his own or will he stay with the pack for at least the half way point? Going to be interesting to see what that split will be. I am thinking 59 minutes or even faster. Kiplimo might not only win but push the clock into uncharted territory.  But there will be so much talent on the starting line. 

The Favorites: Kiplimo, Bekele, and Kipchoge Lead the Charge

While Kiplimo's marathon debut grabs headlines, legends like Kenenisa Bekele and Eliud Kipchoge are far from conceding victory.

Jacob Kiplimo from Uganda enters London as the favorite, thanks to his incredible speed.  The big question is whether he can maintain that pace for twice the distance.

Kenenisa Bekele, with a personal best of 2:01:41, proved last year he’s still elite, setting the Masters world record (2:04:15) in London. Bekele is chasing both victory and history, knowing his window for breaking the two-hour barrier is narrowing.

Eliud Kipchoge returns to London, where he’s won four titles. At 40 years old, Kipchoge remains focused, though he now races in the shadow of Kelvin Kiptum's world record of 2:00:35, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Rising Stars and Seasoned Champions

Beyond the favorites, an incredible field promises an unforgettable showdown.

Sabastian Sawe, with a personal best of 2:02:05, stunned the world by running the fastest debut marathon ever in Valencia. His aggressive racing style could drive the pace.

Timothy Kiplagat, clocking 2:02:55, thrives in fast-paced races and could be a dark horse if the leaders falter.

Alex Mutiso, the defending London Marathon champion with a best of 2:03:11, returns to prove his 2024 victory was no fluke.

Tamirat Tola, the reigning Olympic marathon gold medalist, has shown he can deliver under pressure, with a personal best of 2:03:39.

Abdi Nageeye, the 2021 NYC Marathon champion and Olympic silver medalist, is known for tactical brilliance and boasts a best of 2:04:45.

Breaking 2: Is It Possible in London 2025?

The two-hour barrier remains the sport’s ultimate milestone. While Kelvin Kiptum’s world record of 2:00:35 came heartbreakingly close, an official sub-two-hour marathon has yet to be achieved.

What makes London 2025 the perfect stage?

Stacked Field: With Kiplimo, Kipchoge, and Bekele pushing each other, the pace will be relentless.

Course Familiarity: The London course is flat, fast, and historic, where many records have fallen.

Optimal Conditions: London in April often provides the perfect cool weather for fast times.

Pacemakers: Expect world-class rabbits tasked with keeping the leaders on sub-2 pace through 30K.

A Race for the Ages

On April 27, 2025, I'll be watching closely. Will Jacob Kiplimo make history in his debut? Can Bekele turn back the clock? Will Kipchoge find one more magical performance? And—perhaps most importantly—will the sub-two-hour barrier finally fall in an official race?

One thing is certain: London 2025 promises a marathon showdown like no other.

I'm marking my calendar. History is calling.

Bob Anderson Notebook

American distance running star Grant Fisher delivered a historic performance at the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, setting a new world indoor record in the 5,000 meters with an astonishing time of 12:44.09. Fisher’s blistering run on February 14, 2025, broke the previous record of 12:49.60, set by Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele in 2004.

The race saw Fisher dominate the competition, with French athlete Jimmy Gressier finishing second in 12:54.92, setting a new European indoor record and breaking his own French national record. Fisher’s remarkable pace and precision in the race demonstrated his growing dominance on the track and solidified his place among the sport’s greatest distance runners.

Back-to-Back World Records

This milestone comes just days after Fisher set the world indoor 3,000-meter record at the Millrose Games in New York on February 8, clocking 7:22.91. With two world records in less than a week, Fisher has established himself as one of the most formidable long-distance runners in history.

His recent performances build upon his success at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he claimed bronze medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events—becoming the first American to medal in both events at a single Olympics.

Fisher’s Reaction and Looking Ahead

After his record-breaking run, Fisher expressed his excitement and gratitude for the support from his team and the electric atmosphere in Boston. He acknowledged the significance of breaking Bekele’s long-standing record and credited the momentum gained from his recent 3,000m world record as a key factor in his historic performance.

As Fisher continues to push the limits of American and global distance running, all eyes will be on what he does next. Could this be just the beginning of an even greater legacy?

Stay tuned to My Best Runs for more coverage of the latest record-breaking performances and distance running news.

In the world of distance running, pacing is paramount. One strategy that has garnered attention for its effectiveness is the negative split—running the second half of a race faster than the first. This approach not only conserves energy but also positions runners to finish strong, often leading to personal bests.

Starting a race conservatively allows the body to warm up thoroughly, optimizing muscle efficiency and oxygen utilization. As the race progresses, a well-timed increase in pace can capitalize on this preparedness. Physiologically, this method helps in managing glycogen stores and delaying the onset of fatigue, enabling a stronger finish.

Training Techniques to Master Negative Splits

Progression Runs: Begin at a comfortable pace and gradually increase speed throughout the run. For instance, on a 10-mile run, start at a relaxed pace for the first 5 miles, then incrementally quicken your pace in the latter half.

Tempo Runs with a Fast Finish: Maintain a steady tempo pace for a set distance, then accelerate in the final segment. This trains the body to handle increased effort when fatigued.

Interval Training: Incorporate intervals that encourage finishing faster. For example, run 800-meter repeats where the second 400 meters is faster than the first. This not only builds speed but also instills the discipline to negative split.

Controlled Long Runs: During long runs, practice starting slower than your target race pace and finishing the last few miles faster. This simulates the fatigue of a race and conditions the mind and body to push through.

Elite Runners Embracing Negative Splits

Many elite runners have successfully employed negative splits in their racing strategies:

Eliud Kipchoge: During the 2016 Olympic Marathon, Kipchoge ran the first half in 1:05:55 and the second half in 1:02:49, securing the gold medal with a significant negative split.

Kelvin Kiptum: In the 2023 Chicago Marathon, Kiptum set a new world record by running the first half in 60:48 and the second half in 59:47, showcasing a remarkable negative split.

Kenenisa Bekele: In his 5000-meter world-record run, Bekele progressively increased his speed, running each kilometer faster than the previous one, exemplifying the negative split strategy.

Implementing Negative Splits in Your Racing Strategy

To effectively incorporate negative splits into your racing:

Start Conservatively: Begin slightly slower than your goal pace to conserve energy.

Mid-Race Assessment: Regularly check in with your body and adjust your pace as needed, ensuring you have the energy to increase speed in the latter stages.

Strong Finish: Aim to progressively quicken your pace in the final miles, capitalizing on your conserved energy.

By mastering the art of negative splits, runners can race smarter, harnessing their energy efficiently to achieve stronger finishes and personal bests.

Kenya's Hellen Ekalale Lobun and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren claimed victories at the 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun, a World Athletics Label road race, on Sunday (12).

Lobun, who took the women’s title in 29:30, moved to fourth on the world all-time list while Almgren took 11 seconds off the European record, winning the men’s race in 26:53.

In a race of incredible depth, the first four women now feature in the top 10 on the world all-time list, while the men’s contest marked the first time 11 athletes had finished inside 27:30.

The women’s contest had been billed as an assault on the Ethiopian record (29:14) by pre-race favourite Fotyen Tesfay, who won the Valencia Half Marathon in 1:03:21 in October. Paced by Spain’s Abedarrahman El Khayami, the lead quartet of Tesfay, Lobun, Girmawit Gebrezihair and teenager Asayech Ayichew went through 3km in 8:46, putting them on course to break the world record of 28:46.

The cadence soon dropped, however, and Tesfay went through 5km in 14:31 with Lobun five seconds behind, Ayichew another two seconds in arrears and Gebrezihair clocking 14:42. Soon after, Tesfay had been reeled back in, and the lead trio – Tesfay, Lobun and Gebrezihair – reached 7km in 20:29.

Approaching the final kilometre, Tesfay dropped back, leaving Lobun and Gebrezihair to duel for the victory. Lobun broke away from her Ethiopian rival with 600 metres to go, crossing the line in 29:30 in what was her first standalone 10km race (though she has previously contested two half marathons).

Gebrezihair was second in 29:34, taking more than a minute off her previous best, while a tired Tesfay (29:42) managed to hold off Ayichew (29:43), both women setting PBs. It’s just the second time in history – after last year’s Valencia 10k – that four women have finished inside 30 minutes.

“I didn’t expect to win but I knew I was in good shape,” said Lobun who is based in Kirenget and is coached by Williams Langat. “It was my first 10km ever so my debut has been fantastic. I’ll next compete on 23 February at the Lobo Village cross country race in Eldoret and later I’ll focus on the track season as I try to make the Kenyan team for the World Championships in Tokyo.”

Despite the absence of the scheduled pacemaker Rodrigue Kwizera, who was forced to withdraw because of flu, the men’s contest ended up being one of the best ever in terms of depth.

Kenya’s Daniel Kinyanjui, Vincent Langat and Benard Langat, along with Ethiopia’s Tadese Worku and Telahun Haile Bekele took charge of the pacing duties with Almgren, Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu and Belgium’s Isaac Kimeli also part of the leading pack. The opening 3km was covered in 8:13 and half way was passed in 13:43, suggesting a finishing time well outside 27 minutes.

The pace soon started to increase, though, as Bekele, Langat and Lobalu started to push harder, reaching 7km in 19:05 with seven athletes in the lead pack. The pace, now at 2:40/km, continued to increase as Lobalu, Langat and Almgren reached 9km well ahead of the rest.

European 10,000m champion Lobalu tried to surge in the closing stages, but Langat and Almgren stayed on his shoulder. With just seconds to go, track specialist Almgren put his kick finish to good use and edged in front to cross the line in 26:53, having covered the second half in 13:10.

Lobalu settled for second in 26:54 and Langat completed the podium in 26:55. Further down the field, Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe set a South American record of 27:16 in eighth.

“Last year I ran 27:20 here and I knew I could run much faster today,” said Almgren, the 2014 world U20 800m bronze medallist who has moved up in distance in recent years and ran 26:53.57 for 10,000m on the track last year. “It’s my first European record so I’m over the moon; I’ll now spend four weeks in the altitude of Sierra Nevada to focus on my next target, the 3000m at the European Indoor Championships.”

In addition to the area records, national records were also set by Switzerland’s Lobalu, Eritrea’s Dawit Seare (27:21), Great Britain’s Rory Leonard (27:38), Spain’s Ilias Fifa (27:41) and Ireland’s Efrem Giday (27:43).

Leading results

Women1 Hellen Lobun (KEN) 29:302 Girmawit Gebrzihair (ETH) 29:343 Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) 29:424 Asayech Ayichew (ETH) 29:435 Fentaye Belayneh (ETH) 30:006 Christine Chesiro (KEN) 30:067 Maurine Toroitich (KEN) 30:288 Miriam Serem (KEN) 30:299 Alice Chemtai (KEN) 30:4710 Lomi Muleta (ETH) 31:01

Men1 Andreas Almgren (SWE) 26:532 Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu (SUI) 26:543 Vincent Langat (KEN) 26:554 Daniel Kinyanjui (KEN) 27:065 Isaac Kimeli (BEL) 27:106 Benard Langat (KEN) 27:117 Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH) 27:138 Santiago Catrofe (URU) 27:169 Dawit Seare (ERI) 27:2110 Celestin Ndikumana (BDI) 27:23

If there’s such a thing as a First Family in athletics, then it has be the Tola-Dida clan from Ethiopia; and one of their favourite watering holes is the Dubai marathon, whose quarter century is celebrated with Sunday morning’s event. Current Olympic men’s champion Tamirat Tola won Dubai in 2017 (2.04.11), while spouse Dera Dida won in 2023 (2.21.11), on the same day that her brother-in-law, Tamirat’s younger sibling Abdisa won the men’s title (2.05.42).

Tamirat went on to greater things, with a world championship silver medal in London later in 2017, then gold in the delayed world championship in Eugene 2022, a New York Marathon victory in 2023, and the Olympic crown last year. This time round, he has a far more important task, staying at home and minding their daughter.

Because bringing their daughter (even with a nanny) to last year’s Dubai race may have distracted Dera from a repeat victory, though she still finished third in 2.19.29, two minutes faster than the previous year; but she’s left hubby to do the domestic chores this time, and comes determined to win her second Dubai Marathon while Tamirat watches on TV back home on the outskirts of capital Addis Ababa.

As befits a First Family, only the best is good enough, and their training group has got to be one of if not the strongest in the world.  Among her running partners are former marathon world record holder and Olympic silver medallist Tigst Assefa as well as the current marathon World Champion Amane Beriso. ‘I don’t train with the group every day,’ she said through an interpreter. ‘On a day to day basis, I train with Tamirat, but I join them occasionally. Since Tamirat won the Olympics, we’ve had a lot more media interest, but we try to concentrate on our running and not get too distracted’.

Well, her rivals (and compatriots) here in Dubai, Tigist Girma and Zeineber Yimer already have plenty to distact her, given that their respective best times, 2.18.52 and 2.19.07 are better than hers (2.19.24), but not so much as to deter her ‘I think I’m in shape to run the course record (2.16.07, set by another colleague Tigist Ketema last year); I hope that will be enough to win‘.

Another return winner has equally high aspirations, although injuries have ploughed a broad furrow between Lelisa Desisa’s glory days and Sunday’s race. Lelisa was one of many debutant winners in Dubai over the last decade or so, but his came in winning probably the most exciting race in Dubai Marathon history. On a rare foggy day in the Emirates, Lelisa emerged from the mists with a superb sprint finish to clock 2.04.45, and outpace four close pursuers who all finished within a handful of seconds, the first time five men had ever gone inside two hours, five minutes for a marathon.

Like Tamirat, Lelisa went on a have a superlative set of sequels, two victories and two second places in Boston and a win in New York, culminating with the world title on a torrid night in Doha 2019. A series of injuries and the pandemic halted his progress, but he maintains he’s back close to his best.

Following today’s press conference, he said, ‘I’ve been training with Milkesa (Mengesha), who won the Berlin Marathon last year, and with Deresa (Geleta), who finished second in Valencia; I think I’m as good, and they’re running 2.02/2.03. Things have changed a lot since I won here in 2013. At that time, we were thinking of 2.04 to 2.07 for a marathon, now we have to think of two hours! I think I can run a personal best on Sunday’.

Since his best remains the 2.04.45 from 2013, if he and his young rivals can get anywhere near that, they’ll be threatening the course record of 2.03.34that another colleague Getaneh Mollah ran here in 2019.

An intriguing entrant is former world record holder, Dennis Kimetto of Kenya. One of the shooting stars of recent marathon history, Kimetto had a short stellar career during which (in addition to other top victories) he won three of the most important marathons in the world, Chicago, Tokyo and Berlin, breaking the course record in each event, and setting a world record in the final one, in Berlin 2014. He was the first to run sub 2:03 (2.02.57) and his record stood for four years. Obviously, at ten days short of his 41st birthday, Dubai 2025 is going to be a very different challenge for Kimetto.

Elite runners with personal bests

MEN:

Dennis Kimetto KEN 2:02:57

Lelisa Desisa ETH 2:04:45

Dino Sefir ETH 2:04:50

Shifera Tamru ETH 2:05:18

Gebru Redahgne ETH 2:05:58

Ashenafi Moges ETH 2:06:12

Abay Alemu ETH 2:06:50

Mesfin Nigusu ETH 2:07:58

Tadele Demissie  ETH 2:08:25

Desalegn Girma ETH 2:08:30

Berehanu Tsegu ETH Debut

Boki Diriba  ETH Debut

WOMEN:

Tigist Girma ETH 2:18:52

Zeineba Yimer ETH 2:19:07

Dera Dida ETH 2:19:24

Etagegne Woldu ETH 2:20:03

Gadise Mula ETH 2:20:59

Bedatu Hirpa ETH 2:21:09

Beyenu Degefa  ETH 2:23:04

Kuftu Tahir Dadiso ETH 2:23:14

Tigist Geshaw ETH 2:24:39

Kebebush Yisma ETH 2:27:46

Mulugojam Ambi ETH 2:28:59

Betukan Welde ETH Debut

Etenesh Diro ETH Debut

Bekelech Teku  ETH Debut

Alem Tsadik ETH Debut

On January 12, thousands of runners will fly through the fastest 10K course in the world. Dominic Lobalu, Isaac Kimeli and Andreas Almgren arrive in Valencia with the goal of breaking the European 10K record.

The 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun is finalizing the details to offer again a great show in what will be its 17th edition this coming January 12. The race, which closed its registration last December 22 after exhausting the available numbers, will feature a cast of elite athletes of up to 25 nationalities. 

According to José Enrique Muñoz Acuña, Coordinator of Elite athletes and sports director of the race, the goal this year "is to continue the level of sporting demand that has the 10K Valencia as the best 10K in Spain and holder of world records for both men and women". "This January 12 we will once again experience an event of the highest level, in which -if the conditions respect us- athletes can meet their goals and we can once again see men under 27 minutes and women under 30 minutes," he added. 

As usual in the 10K Valencia, in men "we find a list that stands out for the good level of European athletes, who come with the aim of breaking the European record", which is currently held by Etienne Daguinos (27:04, Lille 2024). For this "there are three clear favorites: Dominic Lobalu (Switzerland), Isaac Kimeli (Belgium) and Andreas Almgren (Sweden), who will have a hare to launch the race to go under 27 minutes." 

As for the African armada, several athletes stand out, such as the Ethiopians Telahun Bekele, Getnet Wale and the debutant in the distance Samuel Tefera, double world indoor 1,500ml champion. In addition to many other athletes who can opt for victory, such as Kenyans Daniel Kinyanjui, Vincent Langat or Meshack Lelgut, "In total, we have 32 men with records under28 minutes".

As for the Spanish representation, several names stand out: Abdessamad Oukhelfen, current national record holder of the distance with 27:44 made last January on this circuit, Daniel Arce, who comes from running very fast in León, Juan A. Pérez Moreno, Víctor Ruiz and Aarón Las Heras. It is worth mentioning the Uruguayan athlete living in Spain, Santiago Catrofe, who comes to Valencia with the intention of improving the South American AR, which is currently held by the Argentinean Antonio Silio (27:51, 1990). 

Women, going all out 

In the women's field, three clear favorites stand out: Fotyen Tesfay (Ethiopia), Christine Chesiro (Kenya) and the young and talented Ethiopian athlete Asayech Ayichew, who won the Great Ethiopian Run a few weeks ago. "In addition to them we have to add a great cast of African athletes. They all come to Valencia to improve their records".  

In European terms, several athletes stand out, such as Slovenia's Klara Lukan, France's Mekdes Woldu and England's Abbie Donnelly, all of them looking to break their current records. 

In the Spanish field, we have two athletes who arrive in a similar form as Alicia Berzosa and Laura Priego, the clear favorites to win in the Spanish category without forgetting the athlete of the Serrano Athletics Club, Maria Jose Perez.

It is worth remembering that the 10K Valencia, which achieved the World Record in men in 2020 (26:24), managed to break all forecasts in the last edition when the athlete Agnes Jebet beat the 10K world record with a 28:46. On a national level, Abdessamad Oukhelfen won the Spanish men's 10K record with a time of 27:44. 

Ethiopia’s Telahun Haile Bekele set a course record to win the men’s race, while Italy’s Nadia Battocletti retained her women’s race crown at the BOclassic Alto Adige, a World Athletics Label road race, on Tuesday (31).

Bekele ran 27:59 to become the first athlete to break 28 minutes for this 10km race and home favourite Battocletti clocked 15:31 to repeat her 5km victory from the previous year.

After the start at Waltherplatz, a group of five athletes remained together in the men’s race, with Bekele joined by Italy’s Yeman Crippa, Kenya’s Charles Rotich, South Africa’s Maxime Chaumeton and Morocco’s Soufiyan Bouqantar.

Bouqantar had to let his rivals go on the fourth lap and Chaumeton dropped out on the fifth loop. That left the trio of Bekele, Crippa and Rotich in contention. Bekele then attacked on the penultimate lap and built a lead, which he maintained on the last loop and final sprint. In the end, the 25-year-old Ethiopian set a record time of 27:59, one second faster than the mark by Sabastian Sawe in 2023. Bekele had already finished on the podium once before at the BOclassic Alto Adige as he came second in 2019.

Crippa was runner-up for the third time in a row, finishing just two seconds back. The 19-year-old Rotich completed the podium in 28:08, while Chaumeton finished fourth and two-time BOclassic winner Oscar Chelimo from Uganda finished fifth.

All eyes were on Battocletti in the women’s race. She led from start to finish, although the 20-year-old Aleshign Baweke of Ethiopia could not be shaken off and was only finally beaten on the home straight after an irresistible attack by Battocletti.

Battocletti's winning time was 15:31, four seconds faster than Baweke.

Third place went to Turkiye’s Yasemin Can who stayed on the heels of the leading duo for a long time, but had to let go on the final loop. Federica Del Buono finished in fourth place after a brilliant final lap, while Micol Majori finished in fifth place.

Leading results

Women

1 Nadia Battocletti (ITA) 15:31

2 Aleshign Baweke (ETH) 15:35

3 Yasemin Can (TUR) 16:05

4 Federica Del Buono (ITA) 16:07

5 Micol Majori (ITA) 16:11

Men

1⁠ ⁠Telahun Haile Bekele (ETH) 27:59

2 ⁠Yeman Crippa (ITA) 28:01

3⁠ ⁠Charles Rotich (KEN) 28:08

4 ⁠Maxime Chaumeton (RSA) 28:27

5 ⁠Oscar Chelimo (UGA) 28:43

Tamirat Tola on how constantly thinking about Eliud Kipchoge's threat helped him clinch the 2024 Olympic marathon title in Paris following his late inclusion into the Ethiopian team for the games.

Olympic marathon champion Tamirat Tola admits marathoner Eliud Kipchoge was his biggest headache heading into the Paris Olympics and was thinking about him following his late inclusion to the Ethiopian team.

The 2022 world marathon champion had just two weeks to prepare for the Olympics after his late inclusion, thanks to the injury sustained by compatriot Sisay Lema.

Tola, 33, said while he considered other marathoners as worthy opponents, it was Kipchoge he feared the most if his past achievements were anything to go by.

"When I got to Paris, I was thinking about how I could challenge (Eliud) Kipchoge and other athletes. I knew the main contenders. There were lots of talented athletes. But I reminded myself that I had worked hard. And when I got in front in the final kilometres, I knew I could win,” Tola told World Athletics.

Kipchoge is the 2016 and 2020 Olympic marathon champion, and was the world record holder in the marathon from 2018 to 2023, until that record was broken by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

Despite being a late entrant into the Ethiopian team, Tola said he was mentally prepared for the rigorous exercise having trained with his team mates for three months.

“For three months together with Kenenisa Bekele, Sisay Lemma, Deresa Geleta and I prepared for the national team. At that time my coach said, ‘prepare with them, and if you are not needed for Paris then go to do the New York City marathon’. When I heard the news that I was on the team, I was really excited for the following two weeks," Tola observed.

Tola who is the 2023 New York City marathon champion presumed that he had the blessings of Lemma and this too, gave him confidence to put his best foot forward. "For Sisay, it wasn’t an easy decision because it was for our country. We discussed it with him and he said, ‘It won’t be easy for me to run injured in Paris, so you go."

Tamirat Tola earned Ethiopia’s only gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with an extraordinary performance in the men’s marathon.

On a uniquely testing course, and in gruelling conditions, he won gold in an Olympic record of 2:06:26 – a performance that was all the more remarkable for the fact that he had only been called into the team with two weeks’ notice as a replacement for his injured compatriot Sisay Lemma.

The 33-year-old, who earned Olympic bronze over 10,000m in 2016, thus added a second global marathon title to his collection after his victory at the 2022 World Athletics Championships.

Tola’s 2024 in numbers

With the hills, and the heat, it was tough enough to run on the Paris marathon course. But you set an Olympic record of 2:06:26. How did you manage this feat?

“It was a very difficult course in Paris. But the only thought in my mind was that I could not lose. Our country had won no gold medals on the track, and the marathon races were the last chance for us, so I needed to make the most of my talent.”

Many athletes found the steep hills and long descents of the Paris course the toughest they had faced, particularly around the 28km mark. Where did it hurt most for you?

“It was hardest from 27 to 30 kilometres, with the steep hill and the long drop. I wasn’t thinking about the time, but when I finished I had the Olympic record, which was another reason to be proud.

“My coach had told me that this was a very difficult course, so when I arrived in Paris I thought about how I could run my best on this course. I used this challenge as motivation, and thankfully I overcame it.

“In athletics, challenges are part of the sport. And we always have to do the best for our country.”

This was your second global marathon title following your success at the 2022 World Championships. How did the two victories compare?

“In 2022 it was not easy, all the champions were also there. In the past I had been concentrating on the 10,000m, which led to the Olympic bronze medal in 2016. After that I won the marathon silver at the 2017 World Championships in London.

“I improved my talent in 2022 to win the gold medal. I was happy at that time because after a long injury I was able to win for my country.

“In 2023 I lost that title because of a problem with my stomach. But that made it all the more amazing to fulfil my goals at the Olympics in Paris.”

You had just two weeks to prepare after being told you were running in the Olympic marathon following the withdrawal of Sisay Lemma, after which you stepped up as the third Ethiopian entrant alongside Deresa Geleta and Kenenisa Bekele. How did you manage this challenge?

“For three months together with Kenenisa, Lemma, Deresa and I prepared for the national team. At that time my coach said, ‘prepare with them, and if you are not needed for Paris then go to do the New York City marathon’.

“When I heard the news that I was on the team, I was really excited for the following two weeks. But for Sisay, it wasn’t an easy decision because it was for our country. We discussed it with him and he said, ‘It won’t be easy for me to run injured in Paris, so you go’.

“When I got to Paris, I was thinking about how I could challenge (Eliud) Kipchoge and other athletes. I knew the main contenders. There were lots of talented athletes.

“But I reminded myself that I had worked hard. And when I got in front in the final kilometres, I knew I could win.”

In Paris you became the fourth Ethiopian to win the Olympic marathon title after Abebe Bikila in 1960 and 1964, Mamo Wolde in 1968 and Gezahegne Abera in 2000. How proud are you to have done this, and what inspiration did you take from your victorious compatriots?

“I did not expect to win because I knew there were runners there like Eliud Kipchoge, the two-time winner. But once I got ahead, I knew I could do it.

“For a long time after Gezahegne, for 24 years, we were without an Ethiopian win in the men’s marathon at the Olympics. I was happy to attain this goal in a Games record and to join the other Olympic champions.

“It was Ethiopia’s only gold medal in Paris – I was able to provide happiness for our country.”

On Monday, the organizers of the TCS London Marathon announced there will be a new face headlining the 2025 race. Great Britain’s Alex Yee, the reigning Olympic triathlon champion from Paris 2024, will make his marathon debut on Sunday, April 27, in his hometown of London.

The 26-year-old, who has won four Olympic medals in triathlon, has a ton of experience in distance running, representing Great Britain in track and cross-country events internationally. He has a 5K personal best of 13 minutes and 26 seconds and has run under 28 minutes for 10,000 meters.

In triathlon, Yee is often regarded as the strongest runner in the sport. The reputation played in his favor earlier this summer in Paris when he caught New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde on the final lap of the Olympic triathlon to win gold. The strong field Yee will face at the 2025 TCS London Marathon will make it one of his biggest challenges to date. However, Yee will look to his home course advantage.

According to the press release, Yee raced the 2.6km Mini London Marathon five times during his junior career and grew up 15 minutes from the start line in Blackheath. “London Marathon day has been such a big part of my life growing up,” recalls Yee. “I remember racing the Mini London Marathon multiple times as a young athlete, and it was one of my biggest and most exciting races of the year. Taking part in a full marathon has always been an itch I’ve wanted to scratch, and there isn’t any other place than London where I would want to start that journey.”

For his London build-up, Yee plans to put his triathlon training on pause to focus solely on marathon training. “I will be focusing my training over the coming months on the marathon and am looking forward to seeing what I can do over the 26.2 miles,” he said.

Last year, Kenya’s Alexander Munyao won his first Abbott World Marathon Major in London, denying Ethiopian distance legend Kenenisa Bekele a hoped-for first London Marathon win with a time of 2:04:01. Bekele did, however, set a new masters marathon record with his time of 2:04:15. The top British finisher was Emile Cairess, who ran 2:06:46 finish third, making him the second-fastest British marathon runner of all time behind Mo Farah.

Yee is the first runner announced for the 2025 London Marathon elite field. The full elite field will be announced in the new year.

Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe set a world lead on his marathon debut, while Ethiopia’s Megertu Alemu also captured a solid victory at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso – a World Athletics Elite Platinum Label event – on Sunday (1). 

Sawe’s winning time was 2:02:05, just 12 seconds off the fastest ever debut set by his compatriot Kelvin Kiptum two years ago and a mark that moves him to fifth on the world all-time list, while Alemu ran 2:16:49, just 15 seconds outside her lifetime best.

The men’s event had been billed as a thrilling showdown between experienced specialists such as Sisay Lemma, Deresa Geleta and Kenenisa Bekele, versus some promising debutants including Sawe and Hillary Kipkoech. Perfectly paced by a trio of pacemakers – Kenya’s Samwel Mailu, Erick Sang and Vincent Nyageo – the leading men went through the opening 5km in 14:31. That cadence was maintained until the leading pack reached the 10km checkpoint in 29:04 and 15km in 43:39. By then, nine athletes remained at the helm including all the favourites, Geleta and Lemma running closest to the pacemakers. 

The halfway mark was passed in 1:01:17, 42 seconds slower than last year’s split when Lemma set the course record of 2:01:48. Unlike last year, when he performed conservatively over the first half, Bekele was running quite bravely as the 42-year-old travelled in third or fourth place. But some two kilometres later, the multiple Olympic and world champion began to lose ground and by the 28th kilometre the relentless 2:55/km rhythm whittled down the leading pack to five: Kenya’s Mateiko and Sawe plus Ethiopia’s Geleta, Lemma and Birhanu Legese. 

Once the last pacemaker dropped out with the clock reading 1:33, Lemma began to falter to lose any chance of retaining his title. At the front, Mateiko and Geleta broke away from Sawe and Legese, those pairs separated by 30 metres inside the 32nd kilometre. It was Mateiko, who was not able to finish the Chicago 2023 and London 2024 marathons, who seemed to decide the victory was in his favour shortly afterwards as he became a lonesome leader. The three-time Valencia half-marathon podium place finisher had built a five-second gap on Sawe and Geleta, while Legese could not maintain that pace and travelled in fourth place way back.

Mateiko’s getaway proved to be short-lived as he was reeled in by Sawe and Geleta at the 36th kilometre, when the predicted final time remained at 2:02:35. It was then that the eventual winner found another gear to speed away easily from Mateiko and Geleta, who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics. Sawe, who has completed all his nine half marathons under the 60-minute barrier, upped his pace to the 2:48/2:50 range to gradually extend his lead. By the 40km point he clocked 1:55:42, 20 seconds ahead of Geleta, while a tired Mateiko travelled another 35 seconds in arrears. 

Sawe showed a magnificent display of solo running over the closing kilometres, going faster and faster as the end was approaching to finally finish unopposed in a world leading performance of 2:02:05, including a 14:06 closing five kilometres.

Geleta, the Seville Marathon winner, improved his career best to 2:02:38 for second place, while Mateiko slowed dramatically over the final stages but still managed to finish the distance at the third time of asking in 2:04:24, holding off a late challenge from Tanzania’s 2017 world bronze medallist Alphonce Simbu.

Simbu achieved a perfectly balanced two halves (1:02:13/1:02:25) to finish fourth in a PB of 2:04:38, two seconds clear of the 42-year-old Swiss athlete Tadesse Abraham, who clocked a lifetime best and national record of 2:04:40 for fifth. In a race of an incredible depth, 10 men ducked under the 2:05 milestone while Bekele dropped out shortly after the 31st kilometre.

Sawe, the world half marathon champion, has won seven out of his nine half marathon appearances, topped by a 58:02 time in Rome in 2022. His two defeats came in Valencia, so Sunday’s performance marks his first victory in the city. 

The winner, whose two halves were timed at 1:01:18 and 1:00:47, said: “Honestly, I had built up very good for this debut and was quite confident of doing well. It’s an amazing day, I’m so happy to be here and win in Valencia, which is so beautiful.  

“I was used to running the half marathon event, I was comfortable during the first half, then I was close to the helm of the race and I thought I could go faster and I just did it. I dedicate this win to the victims of the Valencia floods, I pray for them.”

Alemu confirms she is the strongest 

Following the withdrawal of Ethiopia’s course record-holder Amane Beriso due to a stress fracture, the women’s contest kicked off at the scheduled 3:12 rhythm on an attempt to lower the current 2:14:58 course record set in 2022. The opening five and 10 kilometres were covered in 16:02 and 32:03, respectively, and by then all the favourites stayed in the leading pack, with Alemu joined by her compatriot Tiruye Mesfin, Uganda’s Stella Chesang and Kenya’s Evaline Chirchir. The clock read 47:56 for the 15th kilometre and that cadence proved to be too quick for Mesfin and Chirchir, that pair running 18 seconds in arrears by then.

Running alongside lots of male athletes, Alemu and the Paris Olympics eighth-place finisher Chesang went through halfway in 1:07:15, well on schedule to break Beriso’s record, with Mesfin and Chirchir some 300 metres back timed at 1:08:06 but quick enough to set respective career bests. Chesang’s resistance came to an end some 1:11 into the race when she just could not stay with Alemu’s pace. The Ethiopian managed to maintain her speed until the 30th kilometre, which she reached in 1:35:55, but from then on the 27-year-old dropped her rhythm as she timed 16:48 for the following two five-kilometre sections (30-40km) and her chances of a course record clearly vanished. 

Even so, Alemu’s win was never in jeopardy as she strengthened gradually her advantage on Chesang to 40 seconds by the 30th kilometre and a massive 1:21 at the 40km checkpoint, while Mesfin easily got rid of Chirchir just before reaching the 25th kilometre. At the tape, Alemu posted her second quickest ever time thanks to a 2:16:49 clocking, while the runner-up Chesang broke the 2:20 barrier for the first time in a national record of 2:18:26. Mesfin completed the classy podium, also improving her lifetime best by 12 seconds with 2:18:35.

“I know I can do a better mark but I’m happy to win today,” said Alemu. “Between 35 and 40 kilometres I wasn’t feeling good, so I decided to reduced my rhythm. At the finish line, all the people were clapping and that was really special. I can feel today it’s a different day for Valencia.”

It is only in recent weeks that event organisers were able to confirm that the race would go ahead. At the end of October, the province of Valencia was hit by extreme floods, claiming the lives of 229 people. The natural disaster lasted for more than two weeks, causing substantial damage in the area. Organisers confirmed that all the proceeds from the sponsors, the organisation’s own funds and the runners will be donated to one or more projects for the reconstruction of the affected areas.

Leading results

Women1 Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:16:492 Stella Chesang (UGA) 2:18:263 Tiruye Mesfin (ETH) 2:18:354 Evaline Chirchir (KEN) 2:20:335 Majida Maayouf (ESP) 2:21:436 Chimdesa Kumsa (ETH) 2:21:547 Laura Luengo (ESP) 2:22:318 Isobel Batt-Doyle (AUS) 2:22:599 Moira Stewartova (CZE) 2:23:4410 Sara Hall (USA) 2:23:45 

Men1 Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 2:02:052 Deresa Geleta (ETH) 2:02:383 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:04:244 Alphonce Simbu (TAN) 2:04:385 Tadesse Abraham (SUI) 2:04:406 Chimdessa Debele (ETH) 2:04:447 Maru Teferi (ISR) 2:04:458 Hillary Kipkoech (KEN) 2:04:459 Samuel Fitwi (GER) 2:04:5610 Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:04:59

Sabastian Sawe is bubbling with confidence ahead of his marathon debut in Valencia on Sunday as he gears up for a race against legends Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele.

Sabastian Sawe will be making his full marathon on Sunday at the Valencia Marathon and he expects to have a great outing, racing against a stacked field.

His greatest opposition will come from the Ethiopian duo of Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele but he is confident in his training and has fingers crossed to post impressive results.

Sabastian Sawe’s previous outings in Valencia have not yielded great results as he was forced to finish outside the podium bracket and as he takes on a greater milestone, he hopes for great results.

The world half marathon champion competed at the 2022 Valencia Half Marathon where he finished sixth before heading to finish fifth at the 2023 edition of the race. He revealed that he will be competing with his mentors in the field and that gives him a lot of optimism that he will run a great race.

“Thank you for inviting me and thank you to the race organizers. My condolences to the tragedy that has happened in Valencia. This time, I hope for good results, I have trained well and I’m well prepared for it,” Sabastian Sawe said in a pre-race press conference.

“I’m eager to run with mentors like Sisay Lemma and Kenenisa Bekele who are strong opponents and I hope they help me to run well and I hope to get good results. It will be my first time running the full marathon and I don’t want to predict any fast times but I’m ready.”

He trains with the likes of Olympic marathon bronze medallist Benson Kipruto and the 2022 New York City marathon champion Evans Kipruto under coach Claudio Berardelli and there is a lot he has picked from them as he prepares for the debut.

He promised to execute everything learnt from his training mates who are also accomplished marathon runners.

“My training mates have encouraged me a lot because they are also my mentors and they have taught me a lot. I’m ready, on Sunday to use everything they have taught me,” he shared.

The Spanish city hosts star-studded fields, with athletes hoping to run extremely quick times on the traditionally fast course.

Some of the greatest marathon runners in the world will once again descend on Valencia on Sunday (December 1), just two months on from the horrific floods that devastated the region.

Given the severity of the damage on Valencia – it saw two months of rain in as many days at the end of October – there was uncertainty about whether the event would even take place.

Organisers decided that the Valencia Marathon would go ahead in the end, with a moment of remembrance occurring before the start of the elite races.

“It will be a hug to this wounded city and a promise of recovery, a moment in which sport becomes hope and help for those who need it most,” organisers said.

“This year, the record we want to beat is that of solidarity, the record of a marathon that will remind each one of us of the power of being together. The immense strength of the collective as a society, and of sport, as a vehicle for reconstruction and recovery.

“We want that Valencia Marathon, your race, be a symbol of support for every family that has suffered, for every street and every corner of Valencia that is in the process of reconstruction.”

People lining the streets can look forward to watching some scintillating action, with a myriad of stars taking to the streets of the Spanish city.

A stacked men’s field is led by Kenenisa Bekele and Sisay Lemma.

Bekele, a triple Olympic and five-time world track champion, is the third fastest marathon runner in history, with his personal best of 2:01:41 set back in Berlin five years ago.

The 42-year-old also created in history at last year’s Valencia Marathon, after he became the first athlete aged over 40 to run a sub-2:05 marathon, clocking 2:04:19.

At this year’s London Marathon, Bekele lowered that mark by four seconds, before going on to finish 39th for Ethiopia in the Olympic marathon in Paris.

On paper, Lemma – the reigning champion in Valencia – is the one to beat once again.

Last year, the 33-year-old clocked 2:01:48 in his victory, going fourth on the all-time list over 26.2 miles behind Bekele, Eliud Kipchoge and the late Kelvin Kiptum.

Lemma also secured the Boston marathon crown back in March and is a two-time major marathon champion, after his victory in London three years ago.

The athlete who might be most likely to challenge Lemma is Sabastian Sawe, who is the world half-marathon champion and making his debut over 26.2 miles in Valencia.

The Kenyan’s first ever marathon carries a lot of anticipation and expectation, given the 28-year-old’s personal best in the half-marathon is a blistering 58:05, which he set in Copenhagen back in September.

Double Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese and the 2021 Berlin Marathon winner Guye Adola will also be ones to watch.

The British challenge is led by Ross Braden, who boasts a personal best of 2:14:32 from London two years ago and has clocked 2:19:49 this season. Dan Nash and Norman Shreeve are also among the British men in action.

Expect a pulsating battle in the women’s field, with Ethiopian Megertu Alemu the stand-out name, following the withdrawal of her compatriot Amane Beriso through injury.

Alemu, who’s placed second and third at the London Marathon in the last two years respectively, has a best of 2:16:34, which has her 14th on the all-time list.

You should also be aware of Hiwot Gebrekidan and Tiruye Mesfin, who are the second and third quickest athletes in the women’s field, with respective bests of 2:17:59 and 2:18:47.

Sara Hall flies the flag for the US and goes into Valencia off the back of fifth and 15th place finishes at the US Olympic Marathon trials and Boston.

Clara Evans will be hoping to improve her PB of 2:25:01, which was set in Valencia last year, after finishing top British woman at the Olympics with 46th place in Paris.

Evans is fresh from setting a Welsh half-marathon record of 69:00 in Valencia too.

She is joined by fellow Brits Becky Briggs and Alice Wright among others.

Ireland’s Fionnuala McCormack finishes off a spectacular season in the Spanish City, with the 40-year-old having finished 28th in the Olympic marathon – her fourth Games – in Paris.

Another fascinating storyline is that of Alice Braham, who is aiming to get near her personal best of 2:35:20 from 2008.

The 48-year-old became the oldest British female to run a marathon in under 2:40 in Berlin, clocking an incredible 2:39:42 on the streets of the German capital.

Braham recently spoke exclusively with AW, opening up about how she got into running, overcoming adversity and her top tips for others over 26.2 miles.

The 2024 Valencia marathon will take place this weekend as runners return to one of the fastest courses in the world.

It is in Valencia that the late Kelvin Kiptum introduced himself to the world by running the fastest-ever time clocked by a debutant after he used 2:01:53 in 2022.

Valencia Marathon 2024 start list

This year, 2023 champion Sisay Lemma will headline the stacked list. The Ethiopian will be looking to win a second marathon this year after winning in Boston in March.

His time of 2:01:48 to win in Valencia last year is the sixth-fastest time in history, making him an overwhelming favorite on Sunday.

Kenenisa Bekele will also be part of the start list. Bekele is the third-fastest marathoner in history. The 42-year-old finished a distant 39th at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and redemption will be on his mind.

Others include world half marathon champion Sebastian Sawe and two-time Tokyo marathon winner Birhanu Legese.

The organizers have made the race sweeter by introducing a raft of monetary awards if certain records are broken.

Valencia Marathon 2024 prize money

Athletes who break the course record of 2:01:48 (men's) and 2:14:58 (women's) will win €30,000 (approximately 4 million Kenya shillings).

Meanwhile, athletes who break the men's and women's marathon world records will get a whooping €1,000,000 (approximately 135 million Kenya shillings).

What is the men's marathon world record?

The late Kiptum is the current world record holder. He clocked 2:00:35 to win the 2023 Chicago Marathon.

The website indicates that the women's time the participants need to beat is 2:11:53 despite Ruth Chepng'etich lowering it to 2:09:56 last month in Chicago. Chepng'etich's record is, however, yet to be ratified by World Athletics.

The 2:11:53 mentioned therein is the former world record set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa. Evaline Chirchir is the only Kenyan registered in the women's race.

The debuting quartet of Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech will attempt to challenge the Ethiopian dominance at the Valencia Marathon

The Kenyan athletics scene will once again be in the spotlight as four formidable runners Sebastian Sawe, Daniel Mateiko, Mathew Kimeli, and Hillary Kipkoech gear up to challenge Ethiopia's dominance at the Valencia Marathon on December 1.

Each member of this Kenyan quartet has established themselves as a powerhouse in road running and half marathons, promising an electrifying race against a star-studded Ethiopian lineup.

Leading the charge for the Kenyan team is Sebastian Sawe, the reigning World Road Running champion.

Sawe has completed all nine of his half marathons under the coveted 60-minute mark, boasting a personal best (PB) of 58:02.

Close on his heels is Mateiko, another consistent performer who has clocked sub-59-minute times on seven occasions, making him one of the most reliable half-marathoners in the world.

Kipkoech, who holds a PB of 59:22, enters the marathon as a serious contender after previously pacing Ethiopian course record holder Sisay Lemma in 2023.

Kimeli who triumphed at the 2023 Bangsaen21 Half Marathon in Thailand with a time of 1:03:39, adds another layer of depth to Kenya’s challenge.

The Kenyan quartet will face stiff competition from a stellar Ethiopian team led by Sisay Lemma, the Valencia Marathon course record holder.

Lemma’s breathtaking 2:01:48, set last year, ranks as the sixth-fastest marathon time in history.

Following his Valencia triumph, Lemma claimed the Boston Marathon title earlier this year with a time of 2:06:17.

Joining Lemma is Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele, whose PB of 2:01:41 makes him the fastest man in the field.

Bekele, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, continues to be a force at the marathon distance, ranking third on the all-time list.

The Ethiopian roster further includes two-time Tokyo Marathon champion Birhanu Legese, winner of the 2021 Berlin Marathon Guye Adola and Olympian Deresa Geleta who placed fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Race organizers for the Valencia Marathon have announced the elite fields for the 2024 edition of the race on Dec. 1.

The field is headlined by 2024 Boston Marathon champion Sisay Lemma returning from injury after withdrawing from the Paris Olympics. He will be challenged by his compatriot and all-time great Kenenisa Bekele, who finished second in April’s London Marathon and 39th at the Paris Olympics at 42 years old.

Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe, who boasts a half marathon personal best of 58:05, and Daniel Mateiko, who has also run 58:17 for the half, are the most intriguing debutants.

On the women’s side, 2023 World champion Amane Beriso headlines the field with her 2:14:58 personal best from the 2022 Valencia Marathon, which puts her at No. 6 on the all-time list. Her fellow countrywomen Megertu Alemu (2:16:34) and Hiwot Gebrekidan (2:17:59) are the only two other women under 2:18.

American Sara Hall will be running her fourth marathon of the year. Biya Simbassa, who has a personal best of 2:10:34 and was 11th at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in February, is heading to Spain for his third career marathon.

Here’s a list of the notable men who are running…

Men’s Elite Field

 Kenenisa Bekele – 2:01:41

 Sisay Lemma – 2:01:48

 Birhanu Legese – 2:02:48

 Deresa Geleta – 2:03:27

 Guye Adola – 2:03:46

 Gashau Ayale – 2:04:53

 Tadesse Abraham – 2:05:01

 Alphonce Simbu – 2:05:39

 Sondre Moen – 2:05:48

 Samwel Fitwi – 2:06:27

 Andamlak Belihu – 2:06:40

 Maru Teferi – 2:06:43

 Shokhrukh Davlyatov – 2:07:02

 Richard Ringer – 2:07:05

 Zerei Kbrom – 2:07:10

 Iliass Aouani – 2:07:16

 Samuel Barata – 2:07:35

 Héctor Garibay – 2:07:44

 Ibrahim Chakir – 2:07:48

 Mohamed El Talhaoui – 2:08:03

 Peiyou Feng – 2:08:07

 Dani Mateo – 2:08:22

 Lahsene Bouchikhi – 2:08:36

 Abderrazak Charik – 2:08:37

 Andy Buchanan – 2:08:58

 Weldu Negash Gebretsadik – 2:09:14

 Therence Bizoza – 2:09:18

 Yohan Durand – 2:09:21

 Mohamed Chaaboud – 2:09:21

 Simon Boch – 2:09:25

 Yimer Getahun – 2:09:27

 Bukayawe Malede – 2:09:28

 Emmanuel Roudolff – 2:09:34

 Yohanes Chiappinelli – 2:09:46

 Stephen Scullion – 2:09:49

 Paulo Paula – 2:09:50

 Peter Herzog – 2:10:06

 Bart van Nunen – 2:10:16

 Felicien Muhitira – 2:10:17

 Dieter Kersten – 2:10:22

 Arkadiusz Gardielewski – 2:10:31

 Bjorn Koreman – 2:10:32

 Abbabiya Simbassa – 2:10:34

 Hicham Sigueni – 2:10:37

 Johannes Motschmann – 2:10:39

 Patricio Castillo – 2:10:40

 Jorge Blanco Alvarez – 2:10:49

 Archie Casteel – 2:10:49

 Yongzheng Huang – 2:10:49

 Jakoub Labquira – 2:10:50

 Alejandro Jiménez – 2:10:54

 Juan Luis Barrios – 2:10:55

 Thijs Nijhuis – 2:10:57

 Iraitz Arrospide – 2:10:59

 Christian Zamora – 2:11:02

 Nicolás Cuestas – 2:11:03

 Edward Cheserek – 2:11:07

 Kamil Jastrzebski – 2:11:09

 Necho Tayachew – 2:11:21

 Richard Douma – 2:11:21

 Linus Rosdahl – 2:11:30

 Mohamed El Ghazouany – 2:11:48

 Thomas do Canto – 2:11:51

 Hesiquio Flores – 2:11:57

 Ahmed Elhassouni – 2:12:12

 René Cunéaz – 2:12:48

 Mario Bauernfeind – 2:12:49

 Patrik Wageli – 2:12:58

 Jason Pointeau – 2:13:00

 Adam Lipschitz – 2:13:01

 Joris Keppens – 2:13:18

 Alexis Godefroy – 2:13:32

 Pierre Denays – 2:13:34

 Sebastian Sawe – Debut

 Daniel Mateiko – Debut

 Matthew Kimeli – Debut

 Dillon Maggard – Debut

Here’s a list of the notable women who are running…

 Amane Beriso – 2:14:58

 Megertu Alemu – 2:16:34

 Hiwot Gebrekidan – 2:17:59

 Tiruye Mesfin – 2:18:47

 Stella Chesang – 2:20:23

 Sara Hall – 2:20:32

 Majida Maayouf – 2:21:27

 Evaline Chirchir – 2:22:11

 Chimdesa Kumsa – 2:22:13

 Isobel Batt-Doyle – 2:23:27

 Malindi Elmore – 2:23:30

 Sofia Assefa – 2:23:33

 Fionnuala McCormack – 2:23:58

 Jessica Stenson – 2:24:01

 Gerda Steyn – 2:24:03

 Laura Hottenrott – 2:24:32

 Camilla Richardsson – 2:24:38

 Kaoutar Boulaid – 2:25:03

 Clara Evans – 2:25:04

 Fatima Azzaharaa Ouhaddou – 2:25:30

 Laura Luengo – 2:25:35

 Susana Santos – 2:25:35

 Moira Stewartova – 2:25:36

 Marie Perrier – 2:26:19

 Tereza Hrochová – 2:26:38

 Zhanna Mamazhanova – 2:26:42

 Aleksandra Brzezinska – 2:27:20

 Solange Jesus – 2:27:30

 Paola Bonilla – 2:27:38

 Nora Szabo – 2:28:25

 Jane Bareikis – 2:29:00

 Becky Briggs – 2:29:06

 Alice Wright – 2:29:08

 Roberta Groner – 2:29:09

 Molly Gravill – 2:29:45

 Monika Jackiewicz – 2:29:51

Event organizers announced the race will move forward as scheduled despite severe flooding and more than 200 deaths in the Valencia province. In a statement, organizers announced fundraising plans to aid the city and those affected by the recent storms and flooding.

The Cross Internacional de Itálica in Santiponce on the outskirts of the Spanish city of Seville – the fifth Gold standard meeting in the current World Athletics Cross Country Tour – always boasts a quality line-up, and this year’s race on Sunday (17) features the most prominent line-up so far this season.

Entries for the women’s race, contested over 7.5km, are headed by Kenya’s two-time world cross-country champion and double Olympic gold medalist Beatrice Chebet. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a superb season, topped by her 5000m and 10,000m titles at the Paris Olympics, three months after becoming the first woman to dip under the 29-minute barrier for the latter distance thanks to a 28:54.14 clocking in Eugene on 25 May.

Chebet, who is also the reigning world champion and world record holder for the road 5km, will be making her third appearance here following her runner-up spot in 2020 and her third place in 2021. It will be her first race since her 14:09.82 5000m victory at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.

She will start as the overwhelming favourite for the victory, though she’ll face quality opposition in the form of compatriot Mercy Chepkemoi and Kazakhstan’s Daisy Jepkemei. The latter finished seventh at this year’s World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, and more recently she captured a commanding win in Atapuerca last month.

Chepkemoi is fresh from a fine win in Cardiff last Saturday. She placed fourth over 5000m at the World U20 Championships in Lima in August, finishing just behind bronze medalist Charity Cherop of Uganda, who will also be racing in Santiponce this weekend.

The line-up also comprises Diana and Sharon Chepkemoi, who finished third and seventh respectively in the steeplechase in Lima. Both also competed in Soria last Sunday where they finished third (Diana) and fourth (Sharon).

Meanwhile, France’s Alice Finot, who set a European record of 8:58.67 when finishing fourth in the steeplechase at the Paris Olympics, will be contesting just her second cross-country race in the past seven years.

Portugal’s Mariana Machado recently finished sixth in Atapuerca, sandwiched between Spanish cross-country champion Carolina Robles and Olympic 1500m finalist Agueda Marques who finished fourth and seventh respectively there, closely followed by Maria Forero, the 2022 European U20 cross-country champion. All of them will renew their rivalry this weekend.

European 5000m bronze medalist Marta García, meanwhile, will be making her only cross-country outing of the winter before focusing on the indoor season.

The men’s race has been reduced to 7.5km which plays into the hands of the middle-distance specialists. But that shouldn’t be a problem for Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Berihu Aregawi, as the Ethiopian is also the third-fastest man in history over 3000m.

The 23-year-old opened the year in style by retaining his silver medal at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade before setting a 10,000m PB of 26:31.13 in Nerja. Following his Olympic silver in Paris, he clocked an Ethiopian record of 7:21.28 for 3000m and won the 5000m at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.

Sunday’s race will be Aregawi’s first cross-country outing this season, but fellow Etiopians Ayele Tadesse and Wegene Addisu have already made a mark on the tour, finishing second and fourth respectively in Soria last weekend.

Yet Aregawi’s fiercest opposition should come from Burundi’s Rodrigue Kwizera and Spain’s Thierry Ndikumwenayo. Kwizera is still unbeaten this cross-country season, having won in Amorebieta, Atapuerca and Soria. He has successively finished first, second and third on his appearances in Seville over the past three years.

Meanwhile, his training partner Ndikumwenayo – winner in Seville in 2022 – is the European 10,000m bronze medallist and lowered his 10,000m PB to 26:49.49 for ninth place at the Paris Olympics. Ndikumwenayo will travel to Seville from his altitude stint in Sierra Nevada where he’s building up for the European Cross Country Championchips in Antalya on 8 December.

Watch out too for Uruguay’s Santiago Catrofe. He boasts PBs of 7:37:15 for 3000m and 13:05.95 for 5000m and was a surprise winner in San Sebastian two weeks ago when he kicked away from Uganda’s Martin Kiprotich, who’ll also be in contention on Sunday.

Kiprotich will be joined by his compatriots Kenneth Kiprop, Dan Kibet and Hosea Kiplangat. The former is the world U20 5000m bronze medallist and triumphed in Cardiff where Kibet had to settle for third.

The Spanish charge will be led by European indoor 3000m silver medallist Adel Mechaal, US-based Aarón Las Heras, national 10km record-holder Abdessadam Oukhelfen, and the always consistent Nassim Hassaous.

Past winners in Seville include Fernando Mamede (1984 and 1985), Paul Tergat (1998 and 1999), Paula Radcliffe (2001), Kenenisa Bekele (2003, 2004 and 2007), Faith Kipyegon (2016), Joshua Cheptegei (2018) and Jacob Kiplimo (2019).

Temperatures between 22-24C are predicted for the time of the elite races on Sunday.

Rotich who stands out in the men’s lineup with his exceptional personal best of 2:04:21 is eying a record time finish on the course.

Kenya’s elite marathoners are set for a fierce showdown at the Frankfurt Marathon this Sunday, with seasoned runner Elisha Rotich leading the charge.

Rotich, renowned for his prowess on the marathon circuit, stands out in the men’s lineup with his exceptional personal best of 2:04:21, achieved during his record-breaking win at the 2021 Paris Marathon.

This feat notably saw him surpass the esteemed Kenenisa Bekele’s best time, firmly establishing Rotich as a formidable presence in international marathon running.

Rotich has expressed confidence in his preparations, noting he has spent five intensive months training specifically for the Frankfurt Marathon.

“I’ve rigorously trained for five months targeting the Frankfurt Marathon. Favorable weather, cooler temperatures, and cooperative pacing within the lead group could facilitate sub-2:05 performances,” he shared via Watch Athletics.

Optimistic about favorable weather conditions and strong pacing, Rotich hopes these factors will help him achieve another remarkable sub-2:05 finish.

However, Rotich’s path to the top won’t be without challenge.

He faces tough competition from a talented Ethiopian quartet, including Lencho Tesfaye, who has a personal best of 2:06:18, Aychew Banti (2:06:23), Abay Alemu (2:06:50), and Birhan Nebebew (2:06:52).

Each of these runners has consistently delivered strong performances, underscoring the intense competition that awaits on Sunday.

In addition to Rotich, Kenya is represented by Reuben Kiprop (2:09:06), Bernard Muia (2:09:17), and Vincent Ronoh (2:09:21). T

his group, while less heralded, brings both depth and resilience to Kenya's bid for top honors in Frankfurt.

The women’s field also promises excitement, with Kenya’s Magdalyne Masai leading her country’s contingent with a commendable personal best of 2:22:16.

Masai will face tough competition from Ethiopia’s Shuko Genemo, who has clocked 2:21:35, and Meseret Dinke (2:22:35).

All eyes, however, remain on the 2019 Frankfurt course record of 2:19:10 set by Kenya’s Valary Aiyabei.

With such a strong lineup, the possibility of breaking Aiyabei’s record appears within reach.

Renowned for his extraordinary athletics accomplishments and for being an inspiration, Kenya’s two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge dedicated his time on Sunday (13) to mentor World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team members in Kapsabet.

“I came here to tell you that being a refugee is not the end of life. In fact, it is the beginning of life, because as a refugee you have a lot of fruits hanging in this world,” said Kipchoge. “Do not treat yourself less because you are refugees, we are all equal as human beings, we are all athletes.”

The athletes sat with their pens and notebooks open, ready to jot down the nuggets of wisdom on the fundamentals of a successful life shared by the marathon great. They listened intently.

“The whole world has recognised you as a country, are you happy?” Kipchoge asked.

The athletes responded with a resounding ‘yes’ and clapped.

“Being recognised means you are the best,” he added. “Have faith in yourself, in your school and your coaches. Have respect.”

The seven student-athletes in attendance at the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex included Perina Nakang, Mfite-Umukiza Jules, Estherina Julius and Zinad Akulang, who are part of the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team, and Peter Lotino Akileo, Peter Lopeyok Michael and James Lokibich, who are athletes sponsored by the school. Coaches were also present.

They looked at Kipchoge with admiration; meeting him was a dream. They were surprised and inspired by the simplicity and humility of Kipchoge, who was accompanied by his fellow athlete Jonathan Korir.

“Finally, I have met him. He is somebody like me,” said Lopeyok Michael.

Jules added: “I didn't expect that he could talk like he did. I thought he was a different person, but I realised that Kipchoge is a very good person. He is a parent; he is very encouraging.”

It was a class, with Kipchoge writing out key points and explainers. The theme focused on empowering, inspiring and encouraging the athletes to take education and sports seriously.

The marathon legend emphasised self-discipline, making firm decisions and being consistent, as well as building confidence – all elements that provide a strong foundation in life. 

“For me, it is very important because when you have education and talent, you can be somebody,” explained Lopeyok Michael.

The day was not about how many Olympic medals or world records Kipchoge has achieved – in fact, those did not feature at all. Instead, Kipchoge was keen on changing the mindset of the athletes and shifting their perspective on life.

“In their faces I saw the future of the refugee team, I saw the future of their countries, I saw the future of sport” he said. “I am positive about the refugee team, they have a great future. In the whole world we have 206 countries participating in the Olympics, but we have plus one which is the Refugee Team, to make 207 countries – they have a big opportunity to grab.”

It was the reminder this team needed, having experienced extremely difficult and traumatic lives. But Kipchoge views their experience as the perfect springboard for mentorship.

“They are hard to mould and easy to mould at the same time,” he said. “Hard to mould because they have passed through hard life but all in all they are easy to mould because they understand tough life more than anybody else. So, you bring that tough life to education and sport here in Kenya, they are ready to move in.”

Posing questions to each athlete about their plans, Kipchoge discovered that they all harbour the ambition of becoming a legend, just like the man in front of them.

“To be like you, to succeed and help my family, respect others, to stay humble, respect my teammates, work on school assignments and work hard in athletics,” Julius answered.

“To focus on education, to love each other and share,” responded Lokibich.

The session was interactive and engaging. There were shared aspirations, along with moments of seriousness and laughter. 

“Do you want to be successful; own a car, a house, have money and a good life, or do you want to be a legend?” Kipchoge asked.

“Aim to become the legends of the refugees – being legendary is to make an impact on behalf of the refugees. It is a real success. But you have to study, train well and remain focused.

“Being successful does not happen in one night. Success takes time. If you love your life and sports, avoid drugs. True champions are winning by their own sweat, blood and hard work,” he added.

“The longer you are in sport, the more opportunities you secure. You must know what you want, and where you want to go in your education and athletics. You must fight for opportunities.”

The athletes were accompanied by their head coach Janeth Jepkosgei, the 2007 world 800m champion, and two other coaches.

“The mentorship session was important; these kids have been longing to meet Eliud,” said Jepkosgei. “The team will see their lives differently. They are motivated and encouraged and believe that education and athletics can change your life and community, and it's an inspiration for them.”

Giving a message to the coaches, Kipchoge said: “You have to develop cohesiveness; these athletes must be free to speak to you. You know how to mentor, nurture and make talent propel.”

Then it was time for the athletes and coaches to ask Kipchoge some questions.

“My dream to meet you has come true. You have told us to know ourselves and believe we can. In your career, have you ever hit a wall with no results, yet you trained well and wanted to give up?” Jules asked.

Kipchoge replied: “The moment you perform, you have gone through challenges people do not know. I have been through a lot, but I keep pushing. You have to experience pain and frustrations so that you know how to handle success when it lands on you.”

He was also asked: “How do you feel when lining up with other champions, like (Kenenisa) Bekele?”

“Treat yourself as the best one,” Kipchoge responded. “At the start, tell yourself you have trained better than everybody else and during exams tell yourself that you have studied more than everybody else. Compete with yourself.”

Kipchoge’s remarkable athletics career, which spans 22 years, is older than the refugee athletes he mentored, as they are aged between 17 and 21 years. By sharing his experience, Kipchoge reminded them that despite his athletics triumphs, he has navigated challenges and even inner turmoil.

“He has given me and the team a lot of advice, including that I have to respect myself, my coach, my teachers and my teammates. He has been through a lot of challenges in his career, but he did not give up. Even us, we have experienced a tough life, but we are holding on,” said Nakang, who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Mentorship is something that Kipchoge takes seriously. In 2023, he became mentor to the U20 World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team. Through this role, Kipchoge inspires the upcoming generation.

“I treat the U20 athletes as the next generation,” he said. “I want to inspire them to run for the next 20-plus years because I want them to proceed beyond 2045, in the future promoting sport, competing for their countries, loving the sport, promoting education and bringing development and exposure to their countries.”

The 39-year-old, who holds five of the 11 fastest marathon times in history, has given a seal of approval to the World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team programme, which has been running since 2016.

“It is a plus; a firm and positive decision by World Athletics,” he said. “Let this project continue, let it flow. These are the flowers of World Athletics, what they are injecting in the form of finance and infrastructure to refugee athletes, they have shown these are real flowers of what they have been doing.”

A mix of highly experienced marathon runners with strong personal records and younger challengers could produce some fascinating races at the 46th Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon on November 3rd.

Ethiopia’s Abebe Negewo and Kenneth Kipkemoi of Kenya head the current start list with personal bests of sub 2:05:00. Kenya’s former World Championships’ marathon bronze medalist Sharon Cherop is the fastest woman on the list with 2:22:28. Cherop, Negewo and Kipkemoi have all turned 40 this year, but they are still going very strong. They will have to hit top form if they want to challenge for victory in Istanbul. Ethiopians Kelkile Gezahegn and Sentayehu Lewetegn will be among their rivals while 24 year-old debutante Betty Kibet of Kenya could produce a surprise.

A total of 42,500 runners have entered the race that leads the athletes from the Asian side of the city onto the July 15 Martyrs Bridge and then into the European part of Istanbul. 7,500 of them will run the classic distance on 3rd November. The event is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race, which guarantees high standards in every aspect. Entries will still be accepted until next Monday (October  14th) at: https://maraton.istanbul

“No marathon is run in a city that bears the traces of three great empires that have left a significant mark on world history. No marathon passes over a bridge that connects continents above a magnificent strait. Thanks to this unique feature, we believe that the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon is the best thematic marathon in the world,” said Race Director Renay Onur.

There are now many examples of runners who have turned 40 and still going strong: Kenenisa Bekele, Tadesse Abraham or Edna Kiplagat are among them. With a personal best of 2:04:51 Abebe Negewo is the runner with the fastest PB in the Istanbul field. He ran this time in Valencia in 2019 when he was fourth. While Negewo, who is also known as Abebe Degefa, has not raced as often as during his early career he produced one excellent marathon in each year: 2:05:27 in Valencia in 2021, 2:06:05 in Hamburg in 2022 and 2:08:12 in Rotterdam last year. Negewo has not competed yet this year, so if he wants to continue this streak of strong results Istanbul will be his best chance.

Kenneth Kipkemoi is the other top-class marathon runner in Istanbul’s men’s field who turned 40 this year. The Kenyan’s last three marathons were consistently fast: Kipkemoi ran 2:08:15 in Rotterdam in 2023 and then won the Eindhoven Marathon in the autumn with a personal best of 2:04:52. This year he returned to Rotterdam where he was fourth with 2:05:43.

Two Ethiopians who are more than ten years younger will be among the favourites as well. 28 year-old Kelkile Gezahegn, who has a PB of 2:05:56, is a runner who focusses fully on the classic distance. Since the start of his international career in 2016 he competed only in city marathons. He managed to win all his first four marathons in the year 2016, all in China. “The marathon is my distance,“ said Kellie Gezahegn when he won the Frankfurt Marathon in 2018. Dejene Debela is 29 years old and ran his personal best of 2:05:46 when he was runner-up in Chicago in 2019. After a two year-break, which seems to have been injury related, he came back this year with 2:09:33 in Taiyuan, China.

Sharon Cherop is the most prominent athlete in the elite field of the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Marathon. The 40 year-old Kenyan took the bronze medal in the marathon at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2011. A year later Cherop won the prestigious Boston Marathon and in 2013 she clocked her PB of 2:22:28 when she was runner-up in Berlin. This PB makes her the fastest woman on the start list in Istanbul. Sharon Cherop is still going strong. Last year she won the Milan Marathon and this spring she was second in Hannover with 2:24:41. “I think I can run for a couple of more years,“ she said after the race in Germany.

Sentayehu Lewetegn will be among Sharon Cherop’s challengers. The Ethiopian ran a strong debut in Frankfurt in 2018 with 2:22:45 for sixth place. The 28 year-old could not improve this PB yet, but she came close in Ljubljana: Two years ago she was second there with 2:22:36.

Betty Kibet is an athlete who could have an immediate impact in the marathon. The 24 year-old Kenyan will run her debut over the classic distance in Istanbul. While she has a promising 66:37 half marathon PB she ran the Türkiye Is Bankasi Istanbul Half Marathon this April and finished sixth with a fine 68:39. Betty Kibet, who was a world-class junior athlete in her early career, has a strong 10k PB of 31:08 and ran 1:21:43 in Kolkata, India, for 25k in December last year.

Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema and Tadese Takele start as the fastest in the fields and will be hoping to lead the way when they line up for the BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on Sunday (29).

Ketema, previously better known as an 800m and 1500m specialist, made her mark in the marathon in Dubai in January as she ran 2:16:07, a time that places her ninth on the women’s world marathon all-time list. She then ran 2:23:21 to place seventh in London in April and Berlin will be her first race since then.

“I have prepared for a personal best and plan to run the first half on Sunday in around 68 minutes,” she said. “I hope it won't be too cold because I prefer to run in slightly warmer weather.”

Ketema is one of three women with sub-2:20 PBs on the entry list, as her competition includes her compatriots Genzebe Dibaba and Yebrugal Melese, who have respective PBs of 2:18:05 and 2:19:36.

Dibaba ran that PB on her debut in Amsterdam in 2022 and she clocked 2:21:47 in Chicago a year later. “I saw Haile Gebrselassie run two world records in Berlin on TV and since then I've always wanted to run in Berlin,” she said. “Now the time has come. It would be a success for me if I ran a personal best.”

Another eight women on the entry list have dipped under 2:22 for the marathon in their careers so far, including Mestawot Fikir (2:20:45), Azmera Gebru (2:20:48), Sisay Gola (2:20:50), Fikrte Wereta (2:21:32) and Aberu Ayana (2:21:54), as well as Japan’s Mizuki Matsuda (2:20:52) and Ai Hosoda (2:21:42). 

Germany’s Melat Kejeta is also part of that group, having clocked 2:21:47 in Dubai in January. She placed sixth at the Tokyo Olympics but was unable to finish the Olympic marathon in Paris due to stomach problems. 

A total of 13 world records have so far been set in the Berlin Marathon, the most recent being the 2:11:53 by Tigist Assefa – a training partner of Ketema – in last year’s women’s race.

The men’s title on that occasion was won by Eliud Kipchoge, as he claimed a record fifth victory.

Kipchoge does not return this year but Takele does, following his third-place finish in last year’s race in a PB of 2:03:24. That was his most recent race due to injury, but he says he is now fit and ready to run. “I’ve trained very well,” he said, “and expect to run a strong race.”

Another four men to have dipped under 2:05 feature on the entry list, including Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut, who ran his PB of 2:04:34 when finishing second in Amsterdam last year, and Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Bazezew Asmare, who respectively clocked 2:04:41 in Paris in 2021 and 2:04:57 in Amsterdam in 2022.

Kenya’s former world half marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie races the marathon for the third time and will be looking to build on the PB of 2:04:48 he set in Valencia last year as he hunts for a first win over the distance.

They will be joined by athletes including Kenya’s Samwel Mailu, the world half marathon bronze medallist who set a course record of 2:05:08 to win the Vienna City Marathon last year and continues his comeback after injury, and Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha, who finished sixth at the World Championships last year and has a best of 2:05:29.

Elite fields

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

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) 2:07:45Y

uhei 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

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

Former World Half Marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie spearheads a stellar lineup at the Berlin Marathon on September 29. 

The organisers anticipate a record-breaking turnout of over 50,000 participants, surpassing last year’s 48,000.

“The organisers of the BMW Berlin Marathon are expecting a record number of more than 50,000 runners on September 29, when Germany's most high-class and spectacular road race will take place for the 50th time,” the organisers said in a statement.

“However, two names are missing from the start list this time. Kenya's superstar Eliud Kipchoge and Ethiopia's running legend Kenenisa Bekele. For the first time since 2014, neither of them will be taking part in Berlin.”

Kipchoge is the all-time Berlin Marathon champion having won a record five times. Last year, Kipchoge cut the tape in 2:02:42 followed by Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13) and Tadese Tekele of Ethiopia (2:03:24).

Kandie is a three-time Valencia Half Marathon champion from 2020 (57:32), 2022 (58:10) and 2023 (57:40).

He boasts titles from the 2020 Prague Half Marathon (58:38), the 2022 Adizero Road to Records 10km race (26:50) and the 2020 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (58:58).

He has a silver at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships (58:54) and a bronze in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (27:20.34).

He will team up with 2022 Castellon Marathon winner Ronald Korir, Amsterdam Marathon runner-up Cyprian Kotut, 2023 World Road Running bronze medallist Samwel Mailu and Shanghai Marathon champion Philemon Kiptoo.

Ethiopia’s Takele, last year’s silver medallist, is expected to pose a serious challenge for the Kenyans, alongside compatriot Hailemaryam Kiros, the 2023 Osaka Marathon champion.

Tokyo Marathon runner-up Rosemary Wanjiru leads the charge in the women’s elite race.

The 29-year-old’s accolades include victories at the 2023 Tokyo Marathon (2:16:28) and the Hokuren Distance Challenge in the 10,000m (30:38.18) in Japan.

She is also a runner-up at the 2020 Valencia 10km Road race (29:50) and the 2022 Berlin Marathon (2:18:00).

She faces a rich Ethiopian contingent led by Dubai Marathon champion Tigist Ketema, 2018 Shanghai Marathon champion Yebrgual Melese, Paris Marathon champion Mestawut Fikir and 2023 Osaka Marathon runner-up Sisay Meseret.

Also in the mix is three-time Osaka Marathon champion Mizuki Matsuda of Japan.

Four women with sub-2:20 PBs and six men to have dipped under 2:05 feature on the entry lists for the BMW Berlin Marathon, a World Athletics Platinum Label road race, on September 29.

Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema and Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru top the women’s entry list with PBs that put them in the top 10 on the world marathon all-time list.

Ketema, who had been better known as an 800m and 1500m specialist, stormed into the marathon spotlight in Dubai in January as she ran 2:16:07, a time that makes her the ninth-fastest women’s marathon runner in history. She followed that with 2:23:21 for seventh place in London in April and Berlin will be her first race since then.

Just one place behind Ketema on the all-time list is Wanjiru, who clocked 2:16:14 to finish second in Tokyo in March. That followed her sixth place in the World Championships marathon in Budapest and victory in the Tokyo Marathon last year. Wanjiru also finished second in Berlin in 2022, running 2:18:00 on her debut.

Joining them on the start line are Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba and Yebrugal Melese, who have respective PBs of 2:18:05 and 2:19:36, plus their compatriots Mestawot Fikir (2:20:45), Azmera Gebru (2:20:48), Sisay Gola (2:20:50), Ababel Yeshaneh (2:20:51) and Fikrte Wereta (2:21:32), as well as Japan’s Mizuki Matsuda (2:20:52).

A total of 13 world records have so far been set in the Berlin Marathon, the most recent being the 2:11:53 by Tigist Assefa in last year’s women’s race.

The men’s title on that occasion was won by Eliud Kipchoge, as he claimed a record fifth victory.

This year, for the first time since 2014, the men’s race will not feature Kipchoge or Kenenisa Bekele – who between them have won the race seven times, with two of Kipchoge’s wins having been claimed in world records – but fast times will still be the target.

Among those who will be returning to Berlin are Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele and Ronald Korir of Kenya, who placed third and fourth last year in respective PBs of 2:03:24 and 2:04:22. 

Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut ran his PB of 2:04:34 when finishing second in Amsterdam last year and makes his Berlin Marathon debut, while Ethiopia’s Hailemaryam Kiros and Bazezew Asmare have also broken 2:05 in their careers so far, respectively running 2:04:41 in Paris in 2021 and 2:04:57 in Amsterdam in 2022.

Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie races the marathon for the third time. The former world half marathon record-holder, who clocked 57:32 for 13.1 miles in 2020, will be looking to build on the PB of 2:04:48 he set in Valencia last year.

Also seeking a spot on the podium will be Kenya’s Samwel Mailu, the world half marathon bronze medallist who set a course record of 2:05:08 to win the Vienna City Marathon last year and continues his comeback after injury.

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

Tamirat Tola, called into the Ethiopian team as a late replacement, won the men’s marathon title in an Olympic record of 2:06:26 in brutal heat and humidity over a course of hugely demanding hills, with Belgium’s Bashir Abdi earning silver in 2:06:47.

Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, fastest in the world this year after winning the Tokyo marathon in 2:02:16, marked his Olympic debut with bronze in 2:07:00 on a day when his 39-year-old compatriot Eliud Kipchoge, seeking a third consecutive title, failed to finish.

Britain’s Emile Cairess, making his Olympic debut, finished in fourth place, clocking 2:07:29 after moving past Ethiopia’s Deresa Geleta in the finishing stages, with the latter recording 2:07:31 and finishing a second ahead of Japan’s Akira Akasaki, who set a personal best.

In the circumstances it was scarcely creditable that Tola bettered the Olympic mark of 2:06:32 set at the Beijing 2008 Games by the late Kenyan runner Sammy Wanjiru.

Huge crowds lined the route in the closing stages, and the spectacle concluded amid packed grandstands in front of Les Invalides, its gilded dome glinting in the morning sunshine.

On a day like this, on a course like this, there was something fitting about the race concluding alongside the building constructed in the 17th century as a haven for disabled soldiers. Everyone completing the course today was a warrior.

Tola, the 2022 world champion, thus joins the fabled list of fellow Ethiopians who have won this prized race – Abebe Bikila in 1960 and 1964, Mamo Wolde in 1968 and Gezahegne Abera in 2000 – and added gold to the Olympic 10,000m bronze he won in 2016.

For an Ethiopian team that has not enjoyed its customary success on the track, this was a day of days – and they will have hopes of further success when the athletics programme concludes with the women’s marathon tomorrow.

“I am happy today because I fulfilled my goal,” said Tola, Ethiopia’s first gold medallist of these Games. “I prepared well. I trained hard so I could win. In my life, this is my great achievement.

“I was the reserve in the Ethiopian team, but when Sisay (Lemma) had injuries, then I had a chance to represent him. I was fully prepared and knew I could fulfil my dream. I am happy to do that today.

“This is the Olympics and it is not easy to win the Olympic Games, not at all. I am very proud, very happy.”

Abdi, who has recently recovered from a stress fracture of the hip, commented: "The course was very tough today. I tried not to lose a lot of energy. I tried to run as smartly as possible, so I am very, very happy with this result.

"The weather was hot, (the terrain featured) a lot of ups and downs. Actually, I expected going uphill would be most challenging, but I found going downhill most difficult.

“It was very steep and you don’t have control of your body. That was very scary, especially after 29km, we had almost 2km of running downhill and it was just going more down and down, and I was really afraid of falling.

"This is the hardest marathon course I’ve ever run."

Asked about his return from injury, he added: "It was really a long journey. At the beginning of the year I got a stress fracture, which meant I couldn’t run any races. I came here without any preparation and didn’t know what to expect.

"I told myself before I started, 'OK, you don’t have any race rhythm, but you are fresh, it is your first race of the season, you will be the only guy who is fresh’. That’s what I was repeating to myself during the race."

Kipruto commented: “The course was tough but I’m happy with the result I posted. I trained with the mind first before going to the legs and the heart. Running uphill and downhill was not easy.

“This was the hardest marathon I have run, and a different experience because it was my first Olympic Games."

"I saw Tola pushing but I said, 'no, it’s too early', so I tried to close the gap slowly."

Always in touch with the lead, Tola first took control of the race just after the 20km mark as the field came to the brow of the first long climb, overtaking Italy’s Eyob Faniel, who had pushed ahead by 23 seconds at the 15km mark before the start of the grinding uphill stretch.

The pack, led by Akasaki, Geleta and South Africa’s Elroy Gelant, caught up with him by the 25km mark, which was passed in 1:16:08, but Tola made his decisive move in the hardest part of the course – a brutal, extended climb from 27.5km to 29km involving a 16 per cent incline.

The pack soon became a straggling line as each runner worked out the best way of coping with a challenge so severe that some coaches here had been wondering whether it might be best for their charges to walk this stretch.

Once he got to the brow of the hill, he made the most of it, accelerating away from his labouring rivals and establishing an 11-second lead as he went through 30km in 1:32:12.

Such were the ups and downs of the route that it almost resembled a roller-coaster – but one which guaranteed no one involved had any fun at the fair.

The crucial question at this point was: could Tola, alone, resist the pack that was gradually re-gathering behind him? The answer became gradually and gloriously clear. Tola was never headed thereafter.

At 35km his lead was 18 seconds, at 40km it was 22 seconds. No one was going to stop him.

It was a tribute to Tola’s dedication that he should have been so patently ready to take on this monster of a marathon course at such short notice following the injury to Lemma, who won this year’s Boston Marathon in 2:06:17, having moved to fourth on the world all-time list with his 2:01:48 victory in Valencia last year.

They were huge super-shoes to fill – but Tola did so magnificently.

For Kipchoge it was clear well before the halfway point that he was not going to be challenging for a third consecutive title as he began dropping back, his hand going to his left hip as his face registered discomfort and pain. He dropped out shortly after falling back to 71st position at 30km.

Meanwhile his long-time rival Kenenisa Bekele, returning aged 42 to the Olympic arena where he won three golds and a silver on the track, finished 39th in 2:12:24.

"Around 15km my hamstring felt stretched, so I could not do any more after that,” Bekele said. “Even after 10km I was feeling the strain, so I knew I could not catch up with the leaders."

"It is fantastic that Ethiopia won the race. Tola is very strong, and I am happy for him."

"People have been talking about me and Kipchoge, but you see it was the young generation today. These guys are stronger than us.”

The 27-year-old Ugandan, who took silver in Tokyo and gold over 5,000m, produced a devastating last 600m to come home in 26:43.14 minutes, knocking 18 seconds off Kenenisa Bekele’s 2008 Olympic record

World record holder Joshua Cheptegei claimed the Olympic 10,000m title he so desperately wanted on Friday when he found a late surge to win a fantastic race and take the Games' first track gold.

The 27-year-old Ugandan, who took silver in Tokyo and gold over 5,000m, produced a devastating last 600m to come home in 26:43.14 minutes, knocking 18 seconds off Kenenisa Bekele’s 2008 Olympic record.

Berihu Aregawi, part of a three-pronged Ethiopian front-running group almost from the start, finished strongly for silver in 26:43.44 and Grant Fisher took a superb bronze in 26:43.46 — only the United States' fourth medal over the distance since the event was added to the Games in 1912.

Cheptegei, world champion in 2019, 2022 and 2023, was surprisingly beaten to gold by Ethiopian Selemon Barega in Tokyo and was desperate for revenge. "My collection for this run is really complete. I'm so excited," he told reporters.

"I said, 'one day I want to be Olympic champion'. It is the most special day. I can’t describe the feeling. I’ve wanted this for a long time. When I took silver in Tokyo I was so disappointed. I just wanted to win the 10,000m."