Tigist Assefa ran 2:15:37 in Berlin Marathon and became the third-fastest woman in history.
Tigist Assefa in Berlin Marathon. Photo Getty Images
Tigist Assefa ran a sensational course record in BMV Berlin Marathon on 25th of September. Starting as an outsider with a personal best of 2:34:01 before, the Ethiopian ran the race of her life in excellent weather conditions and won in 2:15:37 hours.
She crossed the line in an Ethiopian record of 2:15:37 – a time that has only ever been beaten by world record-holders Brigid Kosgei (2:14:04) and Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25). In a race of negative splits, Assefa's second half was quicker than her first (1:07:24) and was also faster than her official PB for the distance.
Kenya’s marathon debutante Rosemary Wanjiru came through to take second place in 2:18:00, finishing just three seconds ahead of Abayechew.
New world record in marathon by Eliud Kipchoge 2:01:09
Eliud Kipchoge crowned the 48th edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon with an incredible world record of 2:01:09 hours. The 37-year-old Kenyan thus improved his own best time by exactly half a minute.
Eliud Kipchoge finish. Photo by Tilo Wiedenshohler