BERLIN — Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa broke her own course record to win the women’s title, and Guye Adola reclaimed the men’s crown at the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, though Assefa’s historic performance ended in heartbreak when a late-race injury dashed her world-record pursuit.
Assefa, the Paris Olympics silver medalist, dominated the women’s field to finish in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 4 seconds. The performance marks the third-fastest women’s time in marathon history and eclipses her previous course record of 2:11:53 set in 2023.
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However, her victory was defined by a grueling final stretch. Assefa had been on world-record pace for nearly the entire race, holding close to a 10-second cushion with just two kilometers remaining. In the closing stages, a severe foot injury forced her into a visible limp as the finish line came into view.
The 29-year-old grimly persevered to cross the finish line before collapsing onto the roadway, requiring immediate medical attention and assistance from legendary Haile Gebrselassie, which forced her to miss the post-race podium ceremony.
Her late fade leaves the world record of 2:09:56 in the hands of Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich—a mark that has drawn intense scrutiny within the sport after Chepngetich was handed a three-year doping ban in 2025. Assefa’s victory spearheaded an all-Ethiopian podium, with Bedatu Hirpa taking second (2:16:53) and Dera Dida finishing third (2:16:55).
Guye Adola Reclaims Berlin Marathon Men’s Title
In the men’s division, Guye Adola, the veteran training partner of Assefa, captured his second Berlin crown with a tactical victory, crossing the line in 2:02:50. It is his first triumph in the German capital since 2021.
Following the late withdrawal of men’s world record holder and 2025 champion Sabastian Sawe—who earlier this year became the first man to officially break the two-hour barrier—the men’s field ran a more conservative race.
Adola stayed tucked behind the lead pack before making his decisive move at the 30-kilometer mark, eventually building an insurmountable 29-second lead.
“My goal was to hold back a bit and see what the pacemakers did so I could know exactly what was happening — and that worked wonderfully well,” Adola told Germany’s RTL broadcaster, as reported by AFP.
“I love Berlin, totally. I love being back here, and there’s a pretty good chance I’ll be back again.” Ethiopia’s Gemechu Dida finished second in 2:03:19, while Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay rounded out the top three in 2:03:59.
The flat, autumn course in Berlin is universally recognized as one of, if not the fastest, major marathon routes in the world, having served as the backdrop for several records and personal bests.
