BERLIN: Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa narrowly missed breaking the women’s marathon world record at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday after battling an injury during the closing stages of the race.

Assefa remained on world-record pace for much of the race and increased her speed over the final 10 kilometres. However, she faded late in the race after developing a foot problem and crossed the finish line visibly limping before collapsing on the road.

The Ethiopian athlete was receiving medical treatment when the podium ceremony took place and therefore missed the official honours.

Assefa finished in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds, recording the third-fastest time in women’s marathon history. She also improved her personal best and Berlin course record of 2:11:53, which she had set in 2023.

Despite her impressive performance, Assefa fell short of the women’s world record of 2:09:56, which remains in the name of Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich.

Chepngetich’s record has been subject to scrutiny following her three-year doping ban imposed in 2025.

Ethiopian Sweep in Women’s Race

Ethiopia completed a clean sweep of the women’s podium.

Bedatu Hirpa finished second in 2:16:53, while Dera Dida took third place in 2:16:55.

Assefa, a Paris Olympic silver medallist and now a three-time Berlin Marathon winner, had entered the race targeting another record-breaking performance.

She made a strong start and opened a 25-second lead by the 5km mark. Her advantage increased to around one minute by 15km.

Assefa remained close to world-record pace for most of the race, briefly falling behind the required tempo around the 25km mark before returning to record pace.

At 35km, she was around 15 seconds ahead of the pace required for the world record. She remained approximately 10 seconds ahead with only two kilometres remaining.

However, an apparent foot problem affected her in the final stages, forcing her to slow down and limp towards the finish.

Guye Adola Wins Men’s Berlin Marathon

Ethiopia’s Guye Adola won the men’s Berlin Marathon in 2:02:50, securing his second Berlin title after his previous victory in 2021.

Adola did not move into the lead until around the 30km mark but eventually established a lead of nearly 30 seconds before crossing the finish line.

His winning time was outside the Berlin course record of 2:01:09, set in 2022 by five-time champion Eliud Kipchoge.

Gemechu Dida finished second in 2:03:19, while Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay secured third place in 2:03:59.

Speaking to German broadcaster RTL, Adola said his strategy was to remain patient and assess the pace set by the pacemakers before making his move.

The 35-year-old Ethiopian also expressed his affection for the Berlin Marathon and indicated that he could return for another edition.

Berlin Remains a Record-Breaking Marathon Course

The Berlin Marathon is widely regarded as one of the fastest major marathon courses because of its relatively flat route and favourable conditions.

The women’s and men’s world records have been broken in Berlin more times than at any other marathon venue, adding to the race’s reputation as a destination for elite record attempts.

The withdrawal of men’s world record holder Sabastian Sawe, who won the 2025 Berlin Marathon and became the first man to break the two-hour barrier earlier this year, shifted much of the attention towards Assefa’s world-record attempt.

Although Assefa fell short of the world mark, her 2:11:04 performance significantly improved her previous Berlin record and placed her among the fastest women marathon runners in history.