Assefa targets world record at Berlin Marathon
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa aims to break the women's marathon world record at the Berlin Marathon, while legend Kenenisa Bekele returns.
Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa will attempt to break the women's marathon world record at the BMW Berlin Marathon this Sunday. The race is the fifth Abbott World Marathon Major of the year and features stacked elite fields on both sides.
While men's world-record holder Sabastian Sawe withdrew due to injury, the women's race is poised for a historic effort. Assefa has publicly stated her goal is to surpass the 2:09:56 world mark set by Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich in Chicago in 2024. She will run on a course where she set the previous world record of 2:11:53 in 2023.
Women's field set for fast race
Assefa will not have the course to herself. She faces defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya, who won last year's race in 2:21:05 in hot conditions. With better weather forecast, Wanjiru could challenge for the lead.
Ethiopia's Amane Beriso, the 2023 Budapest marathon world champion, also brings veteran power to the start line. The 34-year-old is reportedly back from injury struggles and will run on the fast Berlin course.
The field includes eight women with personal bests under 2:20, setting the stage for a deep and potentially record-breaking contest.
Bekele's Berlin return
On the men's side, Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele makes a notable return to Berlin. The 44-year-old last raced a marathon at the TCS New York City Marathon in 2025, where he did not finish. He has won the Berlin Marathon twice, in 2016 and 2019.
His 2019 victory was a 2:01:41 finish, just two seconds off Eliud Kipchoge's world record at the time. Bekele also set the fastest marathon ever run by an athlete over 40 when he ran 2:04:15 to finish second at the 2024 London Marathon.
While an outright world record attempt is considered unlikely, the masters world record could be within his reach if he finds his best form.
Contenders in the men's race
With Sawe absent, the men's race is wide open. Tanzania's Gabriel Geay leads the field by personal best with his 2:03:00 run at the 2022 Valencia Marathon. A deep group of Ethiopian runners follows him.
| Runner | Country | Personal Best | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Geay | Tanzania | 2:03:00 | 2nd at 2022 Valencia Marathon |
| Selemon Barega | Ethiopia | 2:05:00 | 7th at 2024 Tokyo Marathon |
| Guye Adola | Ethiopia | 2:03:46 | Won 2024 Rotterdam Marathon in 2:03:54 |
| Shura Kitata | Ethiopia | 2:03:59 | Won 2024 Zurich Maratón Sevilla |
Selemon Barega is the 2021 Olympic 10,000-metre champion. Guye Adola won the Berlin Marathon in 2021 and arrives fresh from a win in Rotterdam. Shura Kitata set his best time earlier this year in Seville.
More than 30 runners in the field have personal bests under 2:07. On Berlin's famously fast course, the victory could go to any of the top contenders. The stage is set for a dramatic day of marathon running.
