FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Other top stars besides Kenenisa Bekele at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
- also strong inline skater field
- Kenenisa Bekele with strong competition
- Women's elite competing at a very high level
- European inline skating champions at the start
- Information on accreditation and hygiene measures
Following Kenenisa Bekele's commitment to start at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
& Inline Skating from September 25 to 26, 2021 (see the PM of August 13),
other top stars from the running and inline skating scenes have now
confirmed their participation. Thus, an impressive field of runners and
skaters will use the last weekend in September to celebrate the
#restartrunning of the marathon community in the German capital. Due to the
current pandemic situation, this year there are reduced numbers
participating and a detailed hygiene and safety concept, which makes an
event of this magnitude possible at all.
Men's field:
A look at the starting list makes clear how much the elite has also been
longing for this day. Kenensia Bekele, who missed the world record by just
two seconds with his top time of 2:01:41 hours at the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON
2019, is not the only Ethiopian with ambitions of winning. In 2017, his
compatriot Guye Adola finished second at the race on the Spree River with
an excellent time of 2:03:46 hours for his debut marathon, posing a real
challenge for the winner, Eliud Kipchoge. In 2019, the 31-year-old provided
an impressive performance in a hard-fought marathon in Valencia, finishing
third. Completing the Ethiopian triumvirate is Olika Adugna, who is only
22. He surprised everyone in his first 42.195 km competition on the streets
of Dubai with a victory in 2:06:15 hours, signalling to the established
long-distance running world that there is promise of more to come. Like the
Ethiopians, the Japanese are showing up with a squad of strong athletes,
led by 2021 Lake Biwa Marathon winner Hidekazu Hijikata. If the Japanese
athlete can repeat his performance from the spring, he also has a chance at
a podium spot. From a national perspective, a well-known Berlin frequent
starter is worth a look. In recent weeks, Philipp Pflieger has repeatedly
spoken about his hard-work collaborating with coach Renato Canova. Now
Pflieger wants to put his words into action.
First Name Surname Nationality PB
Kenenisa Bekele ETH 2:01:41
Guye Adola ETH 2:03:36
Eliud Kiptanui KEN 2:05:21
Philemon Kacheran KEN 2:06:05
Festus Talam KEN 2:06:13
Tadu Abate ETH 2:06:13
Olika Adunga ETH 2:06:15
Tesfaye Lencho ETH 2:06:18
Hidekazu Hijikata JPN 2:06:26
Michael Njenga KEN 2:06:43
Okbay Tsegay ERI 2:06:46
Kazuki Muramoto JPN 2:07:36
Benard Kimeli KEN Debut
Kamil Karbowiak POL 2:10:35
Philipp Pflieger GER 2:12:15
Women's field:
In the women's field, Ethiopian Hiwot Gebrekidan presents herself as the
clear favourite with her best time under 2:20 hours achieved at this year's
Milan Marathon (2:19:35). Purity Rionoripo (KEN) with a best time of
2:20:39, Amane Beriso (ETH) with 2:20:48 as well as Shure Demise (ETH) with
2:20:59 all have the potential to approach or even beat the magic threshold
of 2:20 hours. The distribution of the top spots in the women's event
remains highly exciting. Rabea Schöneborn of LG Nord Berlin was scheduled
as a substitute runner for the German marathon team at the Olympic Games.
She did not get to compete in Japan. Now she wants to perform in her
hometown. Just how serious she is about it is signalled by her new best
time of 1:10:35 recently achieved at the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON. In
April 2021, Schöneborn pushed her personal record for the 42.195 kilometres
to 2:27:03 at the elite marathon in Enschede. At the same venue, Laura
Hottenrott, who competes for PSV Grün Weiss Kassel, also delivered a strong
performance including a best time of 2:28:02. The Hessian will also be on
the starting line at the BMW BERLIN- MARATHON.
First Name Surname Nationality PB
Hiwot Gebrekidan ETH 2:19:35
Purity Rionoripo KEN 2:20:39
Amane Beriso ETH 2:20:48
Shure Demise ETH 2:20:59
Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:23:29
Betelhem Moges ETH 2:23:38
Rabea Schöneborn GER 2:27:03
Iwona Bernadelli POL 2:27:47
Laura Hottenrott GER 2:28:02
Munkhzaya Bayartsogt MGL 2:28:03
Martina Strähl SUI 2:28:07
Izabela Paszkiewicz POL 2:28:12
Edith Chelimo KEN 2:29:03
Beatie Deutsch ISR 2:31:39
Inline skaters
In July, Frenchmen Nolan Beddiaf and Marine Lefeuvre, both of EOSKATES
WORLD TEAM, took the marathon titles at this year's European Championships.
Now they want to repeat their victories in Berlin. However, in the men's
race, Belgian Bart Swings (POWERSLIDE MATTER INTERNATIONAL), six-time
winner of the race, will also be at the start, as well as his teammate
Felix Rijhnen from Darmstadt, who won in 2019. The ROLLERBLADE SPEED TEAM
will be represented by Ewen Fernandez (FRA), winner in 2011 and 2012, among
others. In the women's race, the biggest competition for Lefeuvre also
comes from POWERSLIDE MATTER INTERNATIONAL: two-time winner Sandrine Tas
from Belgium and Katharina Rumpus from Darmstadt, who won in 2018. Manon
Hekman-Kamminga (NLD), the winner in 2013, 2014 and 2016, will compete in
her first race after a baby break.
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