Ethiopian Athletes Dominate Berlin Showcase as Assefa Overcomes Late Injury Scare to Claim Course Record
By Staff Writer
Ethiopian marathoners delivered an extraordinary display of distance-running dominance at the 52nd edition of the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, sweeping top podium spots across both the men’s and women’s elite divisions.
Reigning champion Tigist Assefa secured her third Berlin Marathon crown in the women’s division, while compatriot Guye Adola captured his second career Berlin title to seal a historic double victory for Ethiopia.
Tigist Assefa maintained world-record pace for the majority of the race, leading the field through 40 kilometers on track to challenge the women’s world record. However, with just over two kilometers remaining, Assefa suffered a muscle injury that forced her to complete the closing stretch while visibly limping.
Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Assefa crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 4 seconds—improving her personal best and recording the third-fastest women’s marathon time in history.
Ethiopian athletes completed a sweep of the top podium positions in the women’s field. Bedatu Hirpa finished in second place with a time of 2:16:53 to earn the silver medal, closely followed by Dera Dida, who took third place in 2:16:55 to claim bronze.
The women’s world record remains with Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich at 2:09:56, while Assefa retains the women-only marathon world record of 2:15:41.
The men’s race produced a matching victory for Ethiopia as Guye Adola surged ahead of the lead pack in the second half of the course. Adola crossed the finish line at 2 hours, 02 minutes, and 50 seconds, setting a personal best and claiming his second Berlin title following his initial victory in 2021.
Fellow Ethiopian Gemechu Dida finished second in 2:03:19 to secure the silver medal, while Tanzanian runner Gabriel Gerald Geay completed the podium in third place with a time of 2:03:59.
Recognized as one of six World Marathon Majors holding World Athletics Platinum Label status, the flat course through the German capital continues to stand as a premier stage for world-class distance performances.
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