Second place for Cybrian Kotut as Ethiopians claim Berlin Marathon double

Kenya's Cybrian Kotut had to settle for silver at this year's Berlin Marathon, losing to Ethiopia’s Milkesha Mengesha who took the title in 2:03:17.

Kotut was the fastest Kenyan in the men's race. He and his countrymen led by Kibiwott Kandie were out to defend the title won by Eliud Kipchoge in the last two editions.

Only three men champions had been crowned since 2015: Kipchoge has claimed five titles including two world records while Kenenisa Bekele twice won the race and his Ethiopian compatriot Guye Adola also triumphed on one occasion.

It was a quick start for the men's race with the leading pack going through the opening 5km in 14:25. They went through 15km in 43:13, hitting 60:57 through the halfway mark. 

A pack of seven men, led by Ethiopia's Tadese Takele, the fastest on the field, passes the 35km in 1:42:14, with the projected finish having moved from sub-2:02 earlier on to 2:03:15 as the course claimed its victims. 

Inspiring message from Janeth Jepkosgei after donation to World Athletics Museum

Kandie was one of the favourites to show signs of cracking in the final kilometers of the race, missing his water station, struggling to catch up with the rest of the leading pack, only to drop off again. 

The final kilometer was a three-way battle with Kotut, Mengesha slightly ahead. The latter made his move with about 600m to with Kotut unable to respond, settling for second in 1:03:22. Haymanot Alew completed the podium places in 2:03.31. 

Meanwhile, pre-race favourite Tigist Ketema lived up to expectations, running a solo race to go through through half-way in 67:53, a 12 second lead to Azmera Gebru. 

Ketema won in 2:16:42 as Mestawot Fikir settled for second place in 2:18:48 and Bosena Mulatie completing the Ethiopian sweep with 2:19:00 for third place. 

Women’s Elite

1. Tigist Ketema (ETH) -- 2:16:42

2. Mestawot Fikir (ETH) -- 2:18:48

3. Bosena Mulatie (ETH) -- 2:19:00

4. Ayana Aberu Mulisa (ETH) -- 2:20:20

5. Ai Hosoda (JPN) -- 2:20:31

6. Mizuki Matsuda (JPN) -- 2:20:42

7. Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR) -- 2:21:24

8. Yebregual Melese (ETH) -- 2:21:39

9. Fikrte Wereta (ETH) -- 2:23:23

10. Meseret Sisay Gola (ETH) -- 2:23:36

DNF. Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)

Men’s Elite

1. Milkesa Mengesha (ETH) -- 2:03:17

2. Cybrian Kotut (KEN) -- 2:03:22

3. Haymanot Alew (ETH) -- 2:03:31

4. Stephen Kiprop (KEN) -- 2:03:37

5. Hailemariyam Kiros (ETH) -- 2:04:35

6. Yohei Ikeda (JPN) -- 2:05:12

7. Tadese Takele (ETH) -- 2:05:13

8. Kibrom Oqbe Ruesom (ERI) -- 2:05:37

9. Enock Onchari (KEN) -- 2:05:53

10. Kindie Derseh Kassie (ETH) -- 2:05:54

13. Kibiwott Kandie (KEN) -- 2:06:46