Ethiopian runners sweep Berlin Marathon as Asefa clocks third-fastest women's time ever
Ethiopia's Tigsita Asefa won the women's race at the Berlin Marathon with the third-fastest time in women's marathon history, while compatriot Guye Adola took the men's title.
The Berlin Marathon, part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors series, concluded on Sunday with Ethiopian athletes claiming victory in both the men's and women's races.
Asefa fights through injury to finish
Tigsita Asefa led the women's field for most of the race, running at a pace through the 40-kilometer mark that was on course for a world record. However, she picked up an injury late in the race and was visibly limping over the final stretch. Despite this, she crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds, improving her personal best and recording the third-fastest finishing time in women's marathon history.
Fellow Ethiopian Bedatu Hirpa took second place, nearly six minutes behind the winner, edging out compatriot Deru Dida by just two seconds for the runner-up spot, with Dida finishing third.
Adola claims first Berlin win since 2021
In the men's race, Guye Adola crossed the line in 2 hours, 2 minutes and 50 seconds, marking his first Berlin Marathon victory since 2021.
Adola was not the race leader until after the 30-kilometer mark, when he broke away from his rivals. Ethiopia's Gemechu Diba finished second, 29 seconds behind Adola, while Tanzania's Gabriel Geay completed the podium, finishing a minute and nine seconds off the pace.
Berlin hosted the fifth of this season's seven World Marathon Majors events, following races already held in Tokyo, Boston, London and Sydney. The final two majors of the season are scheduled for October in Chicago and November in New York.
