Assefa wins Berlin Marathon in course record after late setback ends world-record bid
Tigst Assefa finished in 2:11:04 despite limping in the closing stages, 68 seconds outside the women’s world record she had been on pace to challenge.
Tigst Assefa won the Berlin Marathon on Sunday in 2:11:04, breaking her own course record despite a late physical problem that ended her challenge for the women’s world record. The Ethiopian’s time was the third fastest women’s marathon in history, according to World Athletics.
The record remains 2:09:56, held by Ruth Chepngetich. Assefa finished 68 seconds outside that mark after spending much of the race on record pace. World Athletics reported that her projected finishing time at 40km was 2:09:44, before her pace fell sharply in the closing stages.
A late change in pace
Assefa built a commanding lead early, reaching halfway in 1:04:57, according to World Athletics. AFP reported that she was still about 10 seconds ahead of the pace needed for the world record with two kilometres to run. She then began limping and crossed the finish line visibly struggling.
AFP described a late foot problem. BBC Sport quoted race director Mark Milde as saying that something had happened to Assefa’s tendon. The available reports do not establish a specific diagnosis, the severity of the problem or how long it might affect her.
Even with that slowdown, Assefa took 49 seconds off the personal best and Berlin course record of 2:11:53 that she set in 2023. World Athletics said this was her third Berlin victory, following wins in 2022 and 2023.
Ethiopian runners take the podium
Bedatu Hirpa finished second in 2:16:53, two seconds ahead of Dera Dida, completing an all-Ethiopian women’s podium. In the men’s race, Ethiopia’s Guye Adola won in 2:02:50, ahead of compatriot Gemechu Dida in 2:03:19, according to World Athletics.
Chepngetich’s world-record mark remains in place, though AFP noted that her 2024 Chicago Marathon result has been overshadowed by a three-year doping ban imposed in 2025. Assefa’s Berlin performance stands as a course record despite the interrupted final kilometres.
Sources and context
- Berlin Marathon: Tigst Assefa wins but injury halts world record timeBBC Sport
- Assefa just misses women's world record at Berlin MarathonAgence France-Presse
- Assefa holds on for 2:11:04 as Adola regains Berlin crown | REPORTWorld Athletics
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