Eliud Kipchoge, the renowned Kenyan marathon runner, is set to participate in the BMW Berlin Marathon 2023, aiming for an unprecedented fifth victory in the men’s race. On the other hand, Tigist Assefa from Ethiopia will defend her title in the women’s race when the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race resumes on 24 September. Click here for the announcement by the organizers.

Kipchoge has an impressive track record in the Berlin Marathon, having triumphed in the event on four previous occasions. Last year, he not only claimed victory but also broke his own world record by shaving off half a minute, completing the race in an astonishing time of 2:01:09. His earlier triumphs in the German capital occurred in 2015, 2017, and 2018, with the latter marking a then world record of 2:01:39.

Watch Eliud Kipchoge smashes world marathon record – Berlin Marathon 2022

Likewise, Assefa showcased her exceptional skills in Berlin last year, surpassing the women’s course record by over two minutes and finishing with a remarkable time of 2:15:37. This achievement earned her a well-deserved spot on the world all-time list, ranking her fifth overall.

Kipchoge’s challengers in the upcoming marathon will include Amos Kipruto, his compatriot from Kenya. Kipruto, the 2019 world bronze medallist, emerged victorious in the London Marathon last year and achieved a personal best time of 2:03:13 when he finished as the runner-up to Kipchoge in the Tokyo Marathon.

The two elite athletes have previously faced off three times in marathons. In Berlin, Kipruto secured a second-place finish with a time of 2:06:23, coming in behind Kipchoge’s world record-breaking run in 2018. In Tokyo last year, Kipchoge emerged triumphant with a time of 2:02:40.

They also competed against each other at the Olympic Games in Japan, where Kipchoge claimed victory while Kipruto did not finish the race.

Kipchoge expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the BMW Berlin Marathon, stating that it serves as the perfect preparation for his road to the Paris Olympic Games. The two-time Olympic champion has fond memories of the event and looks forward to once again running the streets of Berlin alongside thousands of fellow runners.

Tigist Assefa braces for tough battle in Berlin

Assefa will face tough competition from athletes such as Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya in the women’s race. Chepkirui, the Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medallist, achieved a fourth-place finish in the London Marathon earlier this year, completing the race in 2:18:51.

She recorded her personal best time of 2:17:29 in Valencia in December and also set a course record of 1:05:02 in the Berlin Half Marathon in 2022.

For more information, visit: https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com/en/