Men's Race
The men's race was a tightly contested affair, with several runners vying for the top spot. In the end, it was Ethiopia's Milkesa Mengesha who emerged victorious, crossing the finish line in a time of 2:03:17. Mengesha's victory was a testament to his endurance and determination, as he held off a strong challenge from Kenya's Cybrian Kotut, who finished second in a time of 2:03:22. Another Ethiopian, Haymanot Alew, completed the podium, finishing third in 2:03:31.
The race was notable for the absence of some of the world's top marathon runners, who were choosing to focus on other events during an Olympic year. Despite this, the field was still incredibly competitive, with several runners setting personal bests.
Top 10 Finishers
- Milkesa Mengesha (ETH): 02:03:17
- Cybrian Kotut (KEN): 02:03:22
- Haymanot Alew (ETH): 02:03:31
- Stephen Kiprop (KEN): 02:03:37
- Hailemariyam Kiros (ETH): 02:04:35
- Yohei Ikeda (JPN): 02:05:12
- Tadese Takele (ETH): 02:05:13
- Oqbe Kibrom Ruesom (ERI): 02:05:37
- Enock Onchari (KEN): 02:05:53
- DERSEH KINDIE KASSIE (ETH): 02:05:54
Notable Performances
While Mengesha, Kotut, and Alew were the top finishers, several other runners put on impressive performances. Kenya's Kibiwott Kandie, who holds the world record for the half marathon, finished 13th in a time of 2:06:46. This was a strong showing for Kandie, considering that he was running his first marathon since 2020.
Germany's Sebastian Hendel finished 17th in 2:07:33, a new personal best for the German runner. Hendel's performance was a highlight for the German team, as he showed that he is a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
Women's Race
The women's race was dominated by Ethiopia's Tigist Ketema, who ran a stunning race to win in a time of 2:16:42. Ketema's victory was a statement of her strength and endurance, as she built a lead early in the race and held on to win comfortably.
The second-place finisher was also an Ethiopian, Mestawot Fikir, who finished in 2:18:48. Fikir's performance was a surprise, as she had never finished in the top 10 of a major marathon before. Her strong showing was a sign of her potential to become a top marathoner.
Top 10 Finishers
- Tigist Ketema (ETH): 02:16:42
- Mestawot Fikir (ETH): 02:18:48
- Bosena Mulatie (ETH): 02:19:00
- Aberu Ayana Mulisa (ETH): 02:20:20
- Ai Hosoda (JPN): 02:20:31
- Mizuki Matsuda (JPN): 02:20:42
- Calli Hauger-Thackery (GBR): 02:21:24
- Yebregual Melese (ETH): 02:21:39
- Fikrte Wereta (ETH): 02:23:23
- Sisay Meseret Gola (ETH): 02:23:36
Notable Performances
The women's race was notable for the impressive performance of Germany's Melat Kejeta, who finished 11th in 2:23:40. Kejeta has been one of the top marathoners in Germany for several years, and her strong showing in Berlin was a sign that she is still in top form.
Australia's Lisa Weightman finished 12th in 2:24:40, a new personal best for the Australian runner. Weightman's performance was a highlight for the Australian team, as she showed that she is a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
The Future of Marathon Running
The 2024 Berlin Marathon was a memorable event, with several runners setting new personal bests and making a statement on the international stage. The race also highlighted the depth of talent in marathon running, with several up-and-coming runners making their mark. With the Olympic Games approaching, The future of marathon running looks bright, with several talented runners poised to break records and make history.
As we look ahead to the next generation of marathon runners, it is clear that the sport is in good hands. The 2024 Berlin Marathon was a showcase of the incredible talent and passion that exists in the sport, and it is sure to inspire a new generation of runners to reach for their dreams. The future of marathon running is full of potential, and we can expect to see even more exciting races in the years to come.
