The Berlin Marathon has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the world’s fastest marathon, where athletes consistently push the limits and set records. This year, the race once again drew elite competitors and thousands of runners eager to take on its famously flat and fast course.
As part of the prestigious World Marathon Majors, alongside races in Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo, Berlin stands out for one key reason: it’s the race of record-setters. Since 2003, the men’s world record has been broken eight times on the streets of this German capital.
The former men’s marathon world record of 2:01:09, set by Eliud Kipchoge in 2022, was achieved in Berlin. With its flat terrain, cool weather, and incredible spectator support, the Berlin Marathon is renowned for its ideal conditions for chasing fast times.
Despite missing both Eliud Kipchoge and Tigst Assefa, the men’s and women’s winners from the 2023 edition, the elite lineups promised a thrilling race.
The men’s race was quite an interesting one to watch. A lead group of 10 to 12 broke away early, sitting on the pacemakers until the 25K mark.
After the pacemakers dropped out, the pace was far from consistent, with the fastest and slowest kilometers of the race happening shortly after (2:47 and 3:05, respectively). The surging pace took a toll on many in the group, which was narrowed down to four runners in the final kilometers.
In the final kilometer, Ethiopia’s Milkesha Mengesha pulled away from his competitors to take the win at the 50th Berlin Marathon with a time of 2:03:17.
Taking second place was Kenya’s Cybian Kotut, finishing in 2:03:22. Heymanot Alew of Ethiopia rounded out the podium, crossing the line in 2:03:31.
In the women’s race, Tigist Ketema was the outright favorite, holding the fastest PB by far. Ketema came in with a PB of 2:16:07 from her debut marathon in Dubai, which was also the fastest debut marathon by a woman in history.
Ketema went out with a group of men, with her compatriot, Gebru, the only other woman to keep pace with her. Gebru, however, was unable to maintain the pace past the halfway mark in the race.
Ketema won the Berlin Marathon in 2:16:42, the biggest win of her marathon career so far.
Mestawot Fkikir of Ethiopia took second with a time of 2:18:48, just over two minutes behind Ketema. Bosena Mulatie rounded out the podium and made it an Ethiopian sweep with a time of 2:19:00.
Men’s Top 10 Results
- Milkesa Mengesha (ETH), 2:03:17
- Cybrian Kotut (KEN), 2:03:22
- Haymanot Alew (ETH), 2:03:31
- Stephen Kiprop (KEN), 2:03:37
- Hailemariyam Kiros (ETH), 2:04:35
- Yohei Ikeda (JPN), 2:05:12
- Tadese Takele (ETH), 2:05:13
- Oqbe Kibrom Ruesom (ERI), 2:05:37
- Enock Onchari (KEN), 2:05:53
- Melaku Belachew (ETH), 2:06:30
Women’s Top 10 Results
- Tigist Ketema (ETH), 2:16:42
- Mestawot Fikir (ETH), 2:18:48
- Bosena Mulatie (ETH), 2:19:00
- Aberu Ayana Mulisa (ETH), 2:20:20
- Ai Hosoda (JPN), 2:20:31
- Mizuki Matsuda (JPN), 2:20:42
- Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR), 2:21:24
- Yebregual Melese (ETH), 2:21:39
- Fikrte Wereta (ETH), 2:23:23
- Sisay Meseret Gola (ETH), 2:23:36
