Excitement Builds for Berlin Marathon: Tigist Ketema and Melat Kejeta Target Personal Bests
With the 50th BMW Berlin Marathon just around the corner, all eyes are on the female athletes gearing up to showcase their prowess on the iconic course. Last year, Tigst Assefa stormed to a new Marathon World Record, setting the bar incredibly high for this year’s race. Among the contenders for the spotlight is Tigist Ketema, Assefa’s training partner, while German hopes rest on the shoulders of Melat Kejeta. Let’s take a closer look at the women’s race.
When the Berlin Marathon marked its 25th anniversary in 1998, it was Ronaldo da Costa who stole the show with a record-breaking time of 2:06:05 hours. Now, as the event celebrates its 50th edition, will the women make waves and captivate the audiences just like da Costa did all those years ago?
Tigst Assefa’s sensational World Record of 2:11:53 hours last year pushed the boundaries of achievement in Berlin to new heights. While expecting another World Record may be daring, to say the least, the presence of Tigist Ketema in the field is reason enough to anticipate an exceptional performance. Ketema, who clinched victory with a stunning debut time of 2:16:07 hours in Dubai earlier this year, emerges as a force to be reckoned with.
„I have been training hard for a personal best and plan to tackle the first half of the race in approximately 68:00 minutes on Sunday. I hope the weather stays mild, as I prefer running in warmer conditions,“ shared Ketema, who is relatively new to the marathon scene. Her swift rise to becoming the ninth fastest female marathoner in history after her Dubai triumph positions her as a top contender for success.
Genzebe Dibaba, the former 1,500-meter World Record holder, is also poised for an impressive run in Berlin. Following her debut in Amsterdam in 2022, where she clocked 2:18:05 hours, Dibaba seeks to improve upon her performance. „I watched Haile Gebrselassie set two World Records in Berlin on TV, and since then, I’ve always wanted to run in Berlin – now the moment has arrived,“ expressed Dibaba. A personal best time would mark a significant achievement for her.
Melat Kejeta, the standout German marathon runner in recent years, will also vie for glory at the Berlin Marathon. Despite battling knee issues recently, Kejeta remains optimistic about achieving a personal best. After her impressive sixth-place finish with a time of 2:23:57 hours in her Berlin debut in 2019 and another strong showing at the Olympics in Sapporo last year, Kejeta is determined to make her mark in the anniversary race.
„I am not in shape to challenge the German record [2:19:19 hours by Irina Mikitenko in Berlin 2008], but I hope to achieve a personal best time. I have had slight knee problems recently, so I will have to see how it goes on Sunday,“ shared Kejeta, who lowered her personal best to 2:21:47 hours in Dubai earlier this year.
Top Contenders and Personal Best Times
– Tigist Ketema | ETH | 2:16:07 h
– Genzebe Dibaba | ETH | 2:18:05 h
– Yebrugal Melese | ETH | 2:19:36 h
– Mestawot Fikir | ETH | 2:20:45 h
– Azmera Gebru | ETH | 2:20:48 h
– Sisay Gola | ETH | 2:20:50 h
– Mizuki Matsuda | JPN | 2:20:52 h
– Fikrte Wereta | ETH | 2:21:32 h
– Ai Hosoda | JPN | 2:21:42 h
– Melat Kejeta | GER | 2:21:47 h
– Aberu Ayana | ETH | 2:21:54 h
– Calli Hauger-Thackery | GBR | 2:22:17 h
– Bekelech Gudeta | ETH | 2:22:54 h
– Lisa Weightman | AUS | 2:23:15 h
– Betelihem Afenigus | ETH | 2:23:20 h
– Veronica Maina | KEN | 2:24:46 h
– Bosena Mulatie | ETH | 2:26:59 h
– Alisa Vainio | FIN | 2:27:26 h
– Sonia Samuels | GBR | 2:28:04 h
– Nora Szabo | HUN | 2:28:25 h
– Philippa Bowden | USA | 2:29:14 h
– Melina Wolf | GER | 2:31:08 h
– Thea Heim | GER | 2:33:25 h
– Pauline Esikon | KEN | Debut
As the Berlin Marathon draws near, the anticipation for thrilling performances from Tigist Ketema, Genzebe Dibaba, and Melat Kejeta continues to build. With each athlete aiming for personal bests and unforgettable moments on the historic course, the 50th edition of the race promises to be a spectacle of determination, grit, and extraordinary athletic feats.