Kenenisa Bekele produced a sensational comeback win in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, missing the world record by just two seconds in 2:01:41. The 37 year-old Ethiopian became the second fastest runner of all time, producing a world lead and a national record in a phenomenal performance. Back in 2016 Kenenisa Bekele had missed the world record by six seconds when he clocked 2:03:03 in his first Berlin triumph, this time he missed the mark of Eliud Kipchoge, who ran 2:01:39 here in 2018, by two seconds.
Behind Kenenisa Bekele his fellow-Ethiopian Birhanu Legese took second place with 2:02:48, making him the third fastest marathon runner ever. Sisay Lemma completed the Ethiopian triumph in Berlin with a world-class personal best of 2:03:36. „I knew that I was in top shape. But I also know that I can run even faster,“ said Kenenisa Bekele, the three-time Olympic long distance champion and world record holder at 5,000 and 10,000 m.
In fine weather conditions Ashete Bekere took the women’s race in 2:20:14 from fellow-Ethiopian Mare Dibaba (2:20:21) and Kenya’s Sally Chepyego, who clocked 2:21:06. Germany’s Melat Kejeta produced a very good marathon debut with 2:23:57 in sixth place. She became the second fastest German behind Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19). In contrast defending champion Gladys Cherono of Kenya dropped out at around 30k.
A record number of 46,983 runners from 150 countries entered the 46th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
Results Men:
1. Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:01:41 Stunden
2. Birhanu Legese (ETH) 2:02:48 Stunden
3. Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:03:36 Stunden
Results Women:
1. Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:20:14 Stunden
2. Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:20:21 Stunden
3. Sally Chepyego (KEN) 2:21:06 Stunden
About the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM), the group of six leading marathons in the world which was founded in 2006. They comprise Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. The winners and leading finishers at the six AWMM races earn points according to their positions which culminate in an overall men’s and women’s winner at the end of a one-year-cycle.
The prize money for the winners amounts to US$ 250,000 each. Since 2016 the series has also included wheelchair athletes. An age group category for mass runners has now been added with a points system to decide men’s and women’s winners. Series XII begins with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON 2018 and will end with the Berlin race in 2019. Further information about the scoring system for elite and mass competitors can be found at: www.worldmarathonmajors.com.