Athletic icon Gebrselassie is convinced of the marathon record in Berlin's racetrack
The 51st Berlin Marathon, held on Straße des 17. Juni, witnessed a historic moment this year as Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe broke the course record with a time of 2:02:05 hours. This prestigious marathon event, often recommended by four-time winner and running legend Haile Gebrselassie for its ideal conditions, has been a hot spot for record-breaking performances.
In the lead-up to this year's race, the running elite faced a tough decision: participate in the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo or one of the lucrative city marathons in the fall. The Berlin Marathon, with its minimal distractions, excellent course, and low pollution levels, proved to be a compelling choice for many top athletes.
Gebrselassie, a staunch advocate for Berlin as a location for fast marathons, had even expressed his belief that he could have broken the two-hour barrier in the marathon, given the modern running shoes available today. The weather conditions in Berlin, as described by Gebrselassie, are typically wonderful, making it an ideal location for record-breaking runs.
This year's Berlin Marathon took place on the same day as the conclusion of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. With the favorites for the race being Sabastian Sawe from Kenya for the men and Rosemary Wanjiru from Kenya for the women, the anticipation was palpable.
Sawe, considered talented and suitable for the marathon by Gebrselassie, did not disappoint. He crossed the finish line as the clear winner, breaking the course record and cementing his place in marathon history. Wanjiru also lived up to expectations, securing her victory and making a strong statement in the women's division.
Interestingly, another Kenyan athlete, Kelvin Kiptum, had already broken the marathon record in Chicago, USA, earlier this year with a time of 2:00:35 hours. This impressive feat further underscores the dominance of Kenyan runners in the marathon scene.
As the dust settles on the 51st Berlin Marathon, 55,146 runners can look back on a successful event and look forward to the potential for even more records to be broken at next year's race. With the calibre of runners and the ideal conditions that Berlin offers, it's not hard to imagine that the 2023 Berlin Marathon could see yet another historic moment.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
