Kipchoge set for Berlin Marathon title defense on Sunday

World marathon record holder and double Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge makes a return to Berlin, a course that has twice made him a world record holder, on Sunday, September 24.

The Kenyan’s last outing at a Marathon Major saw him come home a disappointing sixth in Boston; however, Berlin is always a very different prospect for the 38-year-old. He has won the race on four different occasions and is chasing a record-breaking fifth title.

In his last race in the German capital, he brought his own world record down to 2:01:09, a time that was 30 seconds faster than the previous mark. From his comments in the build-up to the race, Kipchoge is once again intending to run fast.

“I have been putting in the work together with the team, doing all my trainings, and trusting the process. I am ready to go back to my special place, back to Berlin, to take on the challenge again,” Kipchoge wrote on his socials a week before the race.

His first victory in Berlin came in 2015, and he has since won the 2017, 2018, and 2022 titles. His only loss in Berlin came in his first appearance in the race, when he finished second in 2013, a race won by compatriot Wilson Kipsang in a world record time of 2:03:23.

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The second-fastest runner on the start list is Kenya’s Amos Kipruto who heads to the race with a Personal Best (PB) time of 2:03:13 and knows what it is like to duel with the man regarded by many as the greatest marathoner of all time.

Kipruto finished second to Kipchoge with that personal best in Tokyo in 2022. For Germany’s national record holder, Amanal Petros, the target will be improving on his own best of 2:06:27 by a significant margin.

The race will, however, have plenty of interest elsewhere, notably in the return of the women’s champion from 12 months ago, Tigst Assefa. She produced the biggest upset in last year’s race, improving her best by a staggering 18 minutes to smash the course record with 2:15:37, and will start as the favourite.

She will, however, face a Kenyan challenge from Sheila Chepkirui, whose best is 2:17:29. Both athletes will also have their sights on Olympic qualification in the marathon.

MEN

Eliud Kipchoge 2:01:09

Amos Kipruto 2:03:13

Jonathan Maiyo 2:04:56

Eliud Kiptanui 2:05:21

Ghirmay Ghebreslassie 2:05:34

Ronald Korir 2:05:37

Tadu Abate 2:05:38

Philemon Kiplimo 2:05:44

Enock Onchari 2:05:47

Mark Korir 2:05:49

Andualem Shiferaw 2:05:52

Haftu Teklu 2:05:53

Amanal Petros 2:06:27

Josphat Boit 2:06:34

Tadesse Abraham 2:06:38

WOMEN

Tigst Assefa 2:15:37

Sheila Chepkirui 2:17:29

Tigist Abayechew 2:18:03

Workenesh Edesa 2:18:51

Hiwot Gebrekidan 2:19:10

Hitomi Niiya 2:19:24

Zeineba Yimer 2:19:28

Etagegn Woldu 2:20:03

Gutemi Imana 2:20:11

Delvine Meringor 2:20:49

Helen Tola 2:21:01

Dera Dida 2:21:11

Fikrte Wereta 2:22:50

Charlotte Purdue 2:23:26

Senbere Teferi   2:24:11