Press Release - Berlin Marathon - 9/18/23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
	
                        BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday:       

                 All Systems Go for Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin

Eliud Kipchoge will return to one of his favourite hunting grounds when he 
lines up once again at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON next Sunday, September 24. 
Kenya's double Olympic champion has twice broken the world record there, 
bringing his own mark down to 2:01:09 last year. From his comments in the 
build-up to the race, Kipchoge is once more intending to run fast. 
Impressive though his achievements are, the race will have plenty of 
interest elsewhere, notably in the return of the women's champion from 12 
months ago, Tigst Assefa. The Ethiopian produced an astonishing improvement 
to win in 2:15:37. German hopes are likely to centre on Amanal Petros, the 
men's national record holder. Many of the elite in general will also be 
targeting the qualifying time for next year's Olympic Marathon in Paris.

Over 45,000 runners have been registered for the 49th edition of the BMW 
BERLIN-MARATHON. The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is part of the Abbott World 
Marathon Majors (AWMM) along with races in Boston, Chicago, London, New 
York and Tokyo. Germany's most spectacular road race is also a Platinum 
Label Road Race of World Athletics, the international athletics federation.

"I have been putting in the work together with the team, doing all my 
training and trusting the process. I am ready to go back to my special 
place, back to Berlin to take on the challenge again," said Eliud Kipchoge, 
reviewing his state of readiness. There is no doubt that he intends to make 
best use of Berlin's flat course once again. It is clear he wants to 
produce yet another performance of exceptional quality and thus qualify for 
the Olympics.

The second fastest runner on the start list is also from Kenya: Amos 
Kipruto has a PB of 2:03:13 and knows what it is like to duel with the man 
regarded by many as the greatest marathoner of all time, finishing second 
to Eliud Kipchoge with that personal best in Tokyo in 2022. For Germany's 
record holder Amanal Petros, the target will be improving on his own best 
of 2:06:27 by a significant margin.

It was Tigst Assefa who produced the biggest upset in last year's BMW 
BERLIN-MARATHON. The Ethiopian improved her best by a staggering 18 minutes 
and smashed the course record with 2:15:37. While the defending champion is 
likely to start as favourite, she could also face a Kenyan challenge from 
Sheila Chepkirui whose best is 2:17:29. Both athletes will also have their 
sights on Olympic qualification in the marathon

Fastest Runners on the current start lists

MEN 

Eliud Kipchoge        KEN 2:01:09 not record eligible: 1:59:40,2
Amos Kipruto          KEN 2:03:13
Jonathan Maiyo        KEN 2:04:56
Eliud Kiptanui        KEN 2:05:21
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie ERI 2:05:34
Ronald Korir          KEN 2:05:37
Tadu Abate            ETH 2:05:38
Philemon Kiplimo      KEN 2:05:44
Enock Onchari         KEN 2:05:47
Mark Korir            KEN 2:05:49
Andualem Shiferaw     ETH 2:05:52
Haftu Teklu           ETH 2:05:53
Amanal Petros         GER 2:06:27
Josphat Boit          KEN 2:06:34
Tadesse Abraham       SUI 2:06:38

WOMEN

Tigst Assefa     ETH 2:15:37
Sheila Chepkirui KEN 2:17:29
Tigist Abayechew ETH 2:18:03
Workenesh Edesa  ETH 2:18:51
Hiwot Gebrekidan ETH 2:19:10
Hitomi Niiya     JPN 2:19:24
Zeineba Yimer    ETH 2:19:28
Etagegn Woldu    ETH 2:20:03
Gutemi Imana     ETH 2:20:11
Delvine Meringor ROU 2:20:49
Helen Tola       ETH 2:21:01
Dera Dida        ETH 2:21:11
Fikrte Wereta    ETH 2:22:50
Charlotte Purdue GBR 2:23:26
Senbere Teferi   ETH 2:24:11

More information is available online at: www.berlin-marathon.com
 

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