Kotut, Kandie facing toughest Berlin Marathon opposition in bid to inherit Kipchoge's crown
Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 28.09.24. | 16:29
As many as 14 runners have personal best times of under 2:06, making it the highest quality men’s field in the history of the event
The stage is set for the anniversary race on Sunday 29 September, the 50th edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon.
For a course known for quick races, world-class times can be expected yet again in a men’s race of high quality.
Only three men champions have been crowned since 2015: Eliud Kipchoge has claimed five titles including two world records while Kenenisa Bekele twice won the race and his Ethiopian compatriot Guye Adola also triumphed on one occasion.
The anniversary race this Sunday is destined to proclaim a different winner to these famous names. This time the group of potential winners is bigger which should make for an exciting contest.
As many as 14 runners have personal best times of under 2:06. In this respect, this is the highest quality men’s field in the history of the event.
Five of them have broken 2:05. Last year’s third placer Tadese Takele returns to Berlin following his 2:03:24 here which makes him the fastest on the start list but he had not competed internationally since.
“I’ve been injured but am fit now,” explained the Ethiopian. “I’ve trained very well and expect to run a strong race.”
Kenyan duo of Cybrian Kotut (2:04:34) and Kibiwott Kandie (2:04:48) as well as the Ethiopian pair of Hailemaryam Kiros (2:04:41) and Bazezew Asmare (2:04:57) are also competitors to be reckoned with in terms of top honours.
As the former world record holder in the half marathon, Kandie has great potential. His world record performance at the shorter distance of 57:32 is a strong indication that the 28-year-old could become one of the fastest marathon runners of all time.
The Kenyan had to miss the preview press conference because of a delayed flight but the world record breaker on this Berlin course, sports administrator Paul Tergat, praised Kibiwott’s quality.
“I know him well because he lives in my area. He has great potential and is still relatively young. Berlin is a very fast course. I hope he will run well.”
In terms of possible surprise winners, two names spring to mind: Kenyans Samwel Mailu and Stephen Kiprop. Last year Mailu destroyed the course record for the Vienna City Marathon with 2:05:08.
Injury prevented the 2023 World Half Marathon bronze medalist from running a spring marathon this year.
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Kiprop was a clear winner of the Daegu Marathon in South Korea this year with a personal best of 2:07:04. “I had injuries for several years but am now healthy and have been able to train properly,” said Kiprop, whose half marathon best is 58:42.
Hendrik Pfeiffer leads a strong group of German runners on home territory, coming off an outstanding performance for third place in Houston in January with a personal best of 2:07:14.
This made him the fourth fastest German man of all time for the event. “I’ve prepared very well and want to try to bring my time down to sub 2:07,” said Pfeiffer.
