In the Berlin marathon competition, Ethiopian athlete Mengesha clinched an unprecedented achievement.
In the 50th edition of the Berlin Marathon, Ethiopian athlete Milkesa Mengesha secured the victory. At 24 years old, Mengesha, who placed 6th in the World Championships, clenched the title in the 42.195-kilometer race, finishing in 2:03:17 hours. Kenyan Cybrian Kotut followed closely, crossing the finish line five seconds later. Coming in third was Haymanot Alew, also from Ethiopia, with a 14-second gap from the winner.
The two-year-old course record of Eliud Kipchoge, who set the mark in 2022 with a then-world record time of 2:01:09 hours, remained safe. This year's roster lacked major names, given that it had taken place just a few weeks after the Olympic Games in Paris. The top German competitor, Sebastian Hendel from Braunschweig, finished in 16th place with a time of 2:07:33 hours. Last year's record-breaker, Amanal Petros, had improved the German record to 2:04:58 hours.
The jubilee race debuted under favorable running conditions, characterized by cool temperatures and a clear sky. Unlike in past events, a larger leading group sustained their pace for an extended period. The group managed to surpass the half marathon mark in less than 61 minutes, but unfortunately, they were unable to sustain this pace throughout the race. Joining the race were a staggering 58,212 runners hailing from 161 nations.
Other runners in the 50th Berlin Marathon attempted to challenge Milkesa Mengesha's lead, but their efforts fell short. Recognizing the talent and determination of other athletes, Mengesha acknowledged that the race was not just about securing his own victory, but also about showcasing the strength of Ethiopian running.
