Double Olympic champion and marathon world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, has arrived in Germany in preparation for the highly anticipated Berlin Marathon, slated for Sunday, September 24.
This year’s edition is set to feature 45,000 elite and amateur marathoners from around the globe, making it one of the fastest marathons in the world.
The Berlin Marathon is renowned for attracting the crème de la crème of marathon running, establishing itself as one of the most prestigious events in the sport. Kipchoge, a marathon luminary, boasts an impressive history with the Berlin Marathon, having won four times in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022.
Notably, he set world records in both 2018 and 2022. In the previous year’s edition, the 38-year-old athlete triumphed with a remarkable time of 2:01.09, besting his own previous record set in 2018 by a staggering 30 seconds.
Amos Kipruto, with a personal best of 2:03:13 in the marathon, will join Kipchoge in the race, aiming to outperform the elite marathoner. Kipruto is the second-fastest entrant and is no stranger to competing against Kipchoge, having secured second place behind him in Tokyo in 2022.
Accompanying them will be Eliud Kiptanui, the 2010 Prague Marathon winner, boasting a marathon record of 2:05.21. Jonathan Maiyo, Ronald Korir, Philemon Kiplimo, and Mark Korir will also join them. Germany’s Amanal Petros, the national record holder, will seek to outdo his personal best of 2:06:27 and provide a stern challenge to the Kenyan athletes.
Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, the reigning women’s champion from the previous edition, will endeavour to defend her title, having recorded an impressive time of 2:15:37.
Representing Kenya will be Sheila Chepkirui, a bronze medalist in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games. On the home front, Germany will closely watch Amanal Petros as their national record holder.
A substantial cash prize of Sh7 million ($50,000) awaits the victors in both the men’s and women’s races, providing added incentive for competitors to dethrone the defending champions.
