The 2024 BMW Berlin Marathon will see a significant change in the elite men’s field. It will be the first time since 2014 that neither Eliud Kipchoge nor Kenenisa Bekele will participate. These two legends have been dominant figures in the marathon scene for over a decade, but as they pass the peak of their competitive careers, a new wave of runners is set to challenge for the title.
Leading this new group is Kibiwott Kandie, a former world half-marathon record holder with a personal best of 57:32 and a marathon personal best of 2:04:48. Among his competitors is Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, who has the fastest time in the field at 2:03:24 and finished third in last year’s Berlin Marathon. Also in the mix is fellow Kenyan Ronald Korir, who ran a personal best of 2:04:22 in Berlin last year to secure fourth place.
Cybrian Kotut, making his Berlin debut, is another contender. The younger brother of former London Marathon champion and New York City Marathon champion Martin Lel, Kotut boasts a personal best of 2:04:34. Additionally, Ethiopians Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:41) and Bazezew Asmare (2:04:57) add further depth to the elite field.
Samwel Mailu, another promising Kenyan athlete, is also worth watching. Last year, Mailu set a new course record at the Vienna City Marathon with a time of 2:05:08. Although he was sidelined this spring due to injury, his return to form could see him contend for a podium finish in Berlin.
On the women’s side, world record holder Tigst Assefa will not be returning to defend her title from the 2023 edition.
The women’s elite field will feature four women who have run sub-2:20 and ten women who have run sub-2:22. The field is headlined by 2024 Tokyo Marathon runner-up Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya and Tigist Ketema of Ethiopia, who ran the fastest debut in history at the Dubai Marathon, clocking 2:16:07.
Both Wanjiru and Ketema are among the top ten on the women’s marathon all-time list.
This year’s race will not reportedly be focused on breaking world records. However, Race Director Mark Milde remains optimistic about the potential for fast times, as Berlin has historically been the stage for many record-breaking performances.
With over 50,000 participants expected, the 50th edition of the Berlin Marathon promises to be an exciting event, continuing its legacy of elite competition that began in 1974 with just 244 finishers.
Find the full elite start lists below.
Men’s Startlist
- Tadese Takele ETH 2:03:24
- Ronald Korir KEN 2:04:22
- Cybrian Kotut KEN 2:04:34
- Hailemaryam Kiros ETH 2:04:41
- Kibiwott Kandie KEN 2:04:48
- Bazezew Asmare ETH 2:04:57
- Samwel Mailu KEN 2:05:08
- Milkesa Mengesha ETH 2:05:29
- Haymanot Alew ETH 2:05:30
- Philimon Kipchumba KEN 2:05:35
- Stephen Kiprop KEN 2:07:04
Women’s Startlist
- Tigist Ketema ETH 2:16:07
- Rosemary Wanjiru KEN 2:16:14
- Genzebe Dibaba ETH 2:18:05
- Yebrugal Melese ETH 2:19:36
- Mestawot Fikir ETH 2:20:45
- Azmera Gebru ETH 2:20:48
- Sisay Gola ETH 2:20:50
- Ababel Yeshaneh ETH 2:20:51
- Mizuki Matsuda JPN 2:20:52
- Fikrte Wereta ETH 2:21:32
