Eliud Kipchoge, the world record holder for the men’s marathon, is set to return to the Berlin Marathon on September 24, aiming for his fifth title in a competition he has dominated since his debut in 2015.
Having established himself as a two-time Olympic marathon champion, Kipchoge has triumphed in four editions of the World Marathon Majors event in Berlin, establishing himself as a symbol of success on this circuit.
Of great significance, Kipchoge has shattered the world record at the Berlin Marathon twice. In 2017, he clocked a remarkable time of 2:01:39, only to surpass that feat last year with a new world record of 2:01:09.
This year’s race provides an opportunity for redemption for Kipchoge, who finished a disappointing sixth in his last competition, the Boston Marathon, held in April.
On the women’s side, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui will aim to dethrone defending champion Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia. Assefa achieved a personal best time of 2:15:17 to claim victory in last year’s race, establishing herself as the third-fastest female marathoner in history.
Chepkirui, a world 10,000m bronze medalist, seeks improved results following her fourth-place finish at the London Marathon in April.
The upcoming Berlin Marathon promises to be a captivating event, with Kipchoge aiming for another historic victory and Chepkirui aiming to challenge Assefa for the women’s title.
