Cramps derail Tigst Assefa’s world record as Guye Adola wins Berlin Marathon

BERLIN (AP) — Tigst Assefa wanted her world record back and was on course to smash it until cramps before the finish line dashed her hopes in the Berlin Marathon on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Assefa still ran the third fastest time ever. She set a new course record with a time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds for her third Berlin Marathon win after 2022 and 2023.

Assefa set a world record with her time of 2:11:53 in 2023, only for Ruth Chepng’etich to lower the mark by nearly 2 minutes to 2:09:56 in Chicago the following year.

Chepng’etich wasn’t racing Sunday because she’s serving a three-year ban for a doping violation. Her record still stands.

Assefa was well on course to beat Chepng’etich’s time, reaching the 40-kilometer mark in 2:03:00, but that’s where the Ethiopian runner pulled up with cramps before reaching the Brandenburg Gate. She gritted her teeth and limped over the finish line, where she slumped to the ground and fought back tears.

Second-placed Bedatu Hirpa was almost 6 minutes behind, followed Dera Dida. Ethiopian runners took the top five places.

Adola wins for second time

Another Ethiopian, the 35-year-old Guye Adola, won the marathon by crossing the line in 2:02:50. It was his second win in the German capital after his victory in 2021.

Gemechu Dida Diriba of Ethiopia was second in 2:03:19, followed by Gabriel Gerald Geay of Tanzania in 2:03:59.

World record holder Sabastian Sawe was unable to take part because of an injury, but he was a guest of honor at the event.

Start times were brought forward Sunday because of high temperatures in last year’s marathon. Conditions were almost perfect with autumn sunshine and little wind, though it was still warm.

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