Women’s 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon Results: Tigst Assefa wins, but late cramps end world record bid

BERLIN (World-Track) — Tigst Assefa was on pace to break the women’s marathon world record deep into the 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday (27), but an injury in the closing kilometers slowed and eventually ruined her charge. The Ethiopian held on to win in 2 hours, 11 minutes, 4 seconds — the third-fastest women’s marathon time in history, as she led five Ethiopians across the line.

Assefa reached 40 kilometers in 2:03:00, well on pace to beat the current world record of 2:09:56. However, she visibly struggled near the Brandenburg Gate before limping through the final kilometer, crossing the finish line, 68 seconds outside the record but 49 seconds faster than the course mark she set in 2023. It was Assefa’s third Berlin victory, following wins in 2022 and 2023.

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Countrywoman Bedatu Hirpa finished second in 2:16:53, two seconds ahead of compatriot Dera Dida (2:16:55). Ethiopian Bekelech Gudeta took fourth in 2:18:58 and teammate Alemitu Tariku was fifth in 2:19:01, giving Ethiopia all five top spots.

Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya finished 13th in 2:24:04.

Women’s results

1. Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia) — 2:11:04
2. Bedatu Hirpa (Ethiopia) — 2:16:53
3. Dera Dida (Ethiopia) — 2:16:55
4. Bekelech Gudeta (Ethiopia) — 2:18:58
5. Alemitu Tariku (Ethiopia) — 2:19:01
6. Pascaline Jelagat (Kenya) — 2:20:23
7. Misgane Alemayehu (Ethiopia) — 2:20:27
8. Ludwina Chepngetich (Kenya) — 2:21:25
9. Evaline Chirchir (Kenya) — 2:21:32
10. Aminet Ahmed (Ethiopia) — 2:21:45
11. Sisilia Ginoka Panga (Tanzania) — 2:23:36
12. Zhang Deshun (China) — 2:23:37
13. Rosemary Wanjiru (Kenya) — 2:24:04
14. Eebbisee Addunyaa (Ethiopia) — 2:26:32
15. Mao Uesugi (Japan) — 2:27:26
16. Anna Langerwisch (Germany) — 2:27:31
17. Rebecca Schmitt (United States) — 2:27:38
18. Jacqueline Gaughan (United States) — 2:27:43
19. Anastasiia Derkach (Russia) — 2:28:29
20. Rino Goshima (Japan) — 2:28:57
21. Ayumi Morita (Japan) — 2:29:33
22. Kristina Hendel (Germany) — 2:29:48
23. Lucy Reid (Britain) — 2:29:59
24. Katy Wood (Britain) — 2:30:13
25. Allie Kieffer (United States) — 2:30:41
26. Natsuki Omori (Japan) — 2:31:21
27. Liu Junhui (China) — 2:31:25
28. Savannah Berry (United States) — 2:31:31
29. Katja Goldring (United States) — 2:31:55
30. Emily Marchant (Britain) — 2:34:27
31. Pan Yuanchen (China) — 2:34:29
32. Rachel McCardell (United States) — 2:35:57
33. Tessa Barrett (United States) — 2:36:04
34. Gabriella Smith (United States) — 2:36:44
35. Amanda De Oliveira (Brazil) — 2:36:45
36. Kaitlyn Bonnet (United States) — 2:37:24
37. Jule Vetter (Germany) — 2:37:26
38. Anne Gebauer (Germany) — 2:38:22
39. Peiyi Lin (Taiwan) — 2:38:43
40. Jasmijn Sibma (Netherlands) — 2:39:28
41. Camilla-Marie Flaaten (Norway) — 2:40:13
42. Mari Nakamura (United States) — 2:40:19
43. Barbara Bressi (Italy) — 2:40:26
44. Sophie Junge (Denmark) — 2:40:39
45. Joanna Konopko (Poland) — 2:40:41
46. Sophia Wunsch (Germany) — 2:40:41
47. Tatiana Marchewka (France) — 2:40:53
48. Antonia Müller (Germany) — 2:41:06
49. Franziska Baist (Germany) — 2:41:25
50. Magdalena Patas (Poland) — 2:41:27

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