The 2024 Berlin Marathon marks its 50th anniversary, one of the most prestigious events in the world marathon circuit. This year’s marathon, set for Sunday, September 29, promises to be a thrilling showdown, even without some of the most renowned names like Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele. As athletes and enthusiasts gear up for the event, Ethiopia is poised to dominate with a star-studded lineup in both the men’s and women’s categories.
The Absence of Legends: Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele
For the first time in over a decade, two marathon legends, Eliud Kipchoge and Kenenisa Bekele, will not be participating in the race that has seen them break records and create memorable moments. Kipchoge, who won his fifth Berlin Marathon title last year with a time of 2:01:09, has decided to skip this year’s event as he prepares for his final Olympic appearance. Without these legends, the field is wide open, offering rising stars a chance to make their mark​(
Olympics)​(
Men’s Race: Tadese Takele Leads the Field
Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, the runner-up from 2023 with a personal best (PB) of 2:03:24, returns as the men’s elite favorite. This year, at just 22 years old, Takele is ready to challenge for the top spot, bringing with him tremendous experience from last year’s Berlin Marathon. Other competitors in the men’s category include Kenya’s Kibiwott Kandie, the former world half marathon record holder, and Stephen Kiprop, who seeks his first major victory in Berlin​(
Olympics)​(
Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut is another name to watch, with a PB of 2:04:34, set in Amsterdam last year. This race will also feature Hailemaryam Kiros, Bazezew Asmare, and Samwel Mailu, each capable of shaking up the leaderboards​(
Olympics).
Women’s Race: Tigist Ketema Eyes a New Record
In the women’s competition, all eyes are on Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema. Having set a course record of 2:16:07 earlier this year at the Dubai Marathon, Ketema is determined to surpass that performance in Berlin. She will be joined by fellow Ethiopian Genzebe Dibaba, an Olympic silver medalist and renowned track athlete, and Yebrugal Melese, both of whom have posted sub-2:20 finishes​(
Ketema has expressed her goal to run the first half of the race in around 68 minutes, weather permitting, as she prefers slightly warmer conditions​(
World Athletics). Dibaba, in her debut at Berlin, is motivated to challenge her personal best of 2:21:47, set at the 2023 Chicago Marathon​(
Olympics)​(
A Stacked Women’s Field
In addition to Ketema and Dibaba, a number of other elite women runners are aiming for victory, including Azmera Gebru, Mestawot Fikir, and Japan’s Mizuki Matsuda. Each of these athletes has recorded impressive times, with Matsuda boasting a PB of 2:20:52​(
Germany’s Melat Kejeta, another standout, seeks to improve upon her time of 2:21:47, set in Dubai earlier this year​(
Start Times and How to Watch
The 2024 Berlin Marathon will commence at 8:50 AM (CEST) with the elite athletes, followed by the wheelchair, handbike, and mass race categories. Fans worldwide can tune in via Olympics.com and other streaming platforms, as the race will be broadcast across various regions​(
Olympics).
World Marathon Majors and Historic Importance
The Berlin Marathon is one of the six World Marathon Majors, renowned for its flat, fast course, which makes it ideal for setting records. The Berlin Marathon has been the site of 13 world records, the latest being Tigist Assefa’s time of 2:11:53 in 2023​(
World Athletics). With the absence of Kipchoge and the rise of new talents, this year’s race will be pivotal in setting the stage for future marathon stars.
Marathon Results and Updates
Once the race is complete, results and detailed rankings will be updated on major running news websites. For the latest information, including finishing times, runner statistics, and highlights from the Berlin Marathon, you can visit RUNNEA or World Athletics for post-race analysis and insights​(
Runnea)​(
For additional running tips, product reviews, and news updates on other major marathons, head over to Newsify to stay informed on all things running-related.
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Berlin Marathon History
The 2024 Berlin Marathon will be remembered not only as the 50th edition of this prestigious race but also as an event where new champions could emerge. With established stars like Ketema, Takele, and Dibaba, the race promises to deliver spectacular performances and potentially, new records. Be sure to follow the live coverage and witness history in the making.
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