AIMS award for BIG 25 Berlin after unique double world record in 2010, Kenyans Kipsang and Chepchirchir to compete in May
The BIG 25 Berlin road race will receive a unique award from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). After both world records were broken in the traditional 25 k race through the German capital in 2010 AIMS board members decided during their recent meeting in Belgrade to honour this achievement.
The ceremony will take place during this year’s BIG 25 Berlin race on 8th May. Organisers again expect a top field to compete while around 10,000 runners will take part in the mass races with distances of 25 k, 10 k and a 5×5 k relay. Online entry is still possible at: www.berlin-runs.com
“We are proud that AIMS honours our double world record. This marks the significance of the performances. For us it is also an additional motivation to further develop this traditional race,” said Gerhard Janetzky, the Race Director of the BIG 25 Berlin. Never before had two world records been broken in any road race. While Kenya’s Sammy Kosgei clocked 1:11:50 his fellow countrywoman Mary Keitany finished with the first sub 1:20 time ever (1:19:53).
The 31st edition of Germany’s oldest major city road race should again produce very good times on 8th May. Organisers announced that two top Kenyan runners have confirmed that they will run the BIG 25 Berlin. William Kipsang is the winner of the Rotterdam Marathon 2008 with 2:05:49. While the 33 year-old will run his first 25 k race Filomena Chepchirchir has quite some experience at the distance.
In 2007 she won the BIG 25 Berlin in 1:25:38. One year later she improved to 1:24:55 but this time this was only good enough for second place. The 29 year-old recently showed good form, when she took the Den Hague half marathon in 69:06. On 8th May she wants to be first again to cross the finish inside the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
More information is available at: www.berlin-runs.com
