FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BMW BERLIN-MARATHON:
Guye Adola scores unexpected triumph in Berlin,
debutant Gotytom Gebreslase surprises to win women's title
No doubt about who carried off the top honours in the BMW Berlin-Marathon
on Sunday since Ethiopians won the men's and women's title. It was,
however, a day of disappointment for Kenenisa Bekele by his own superlative
standards. Guye Adola won the men's crown, running 2:05:45 to finish ahead
of Kenyan Bethwel Yegon, the latter clocking 2:06:14 at the finish line
near the Brandenburg Gate. As for Kenenisa Bekele, his hopes of challenging
the world record, set on this same course by his Kenyan rival Eliud
Kipchoge in 2018 with 2:01:39, faded in increasingly warm and humid
conditions. Ethiopia's triple Olympic champion finished third in 2:06:47.
The best German finisher was Philipp Pflieger who ran 2:15:01 for 16th
place.
With temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius during the latter stages of the
race, any hopes for record times faded. The race was rarely short of
incident, however. In the women's field, Gotytom Gebreslase ran a superb
debut marathon. The 26 year-old Ethiopian surprised the favourites and ran
the third fastest time of the year with 2:20:09. Her compatriot Hiwot
Gebrekidan took second in 2:21:23 and Helen Tola completed an Ethiopian
podium with 2:23:05. Germany's Rabea Schöneborn finished ninth with
2:28:49.
The 47th edition of the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, which is part of the Abbott
World Marathon Majors Series, took place under strict hygiene regulations.
With 24,796 runners from 139 nations the race was the biggest marathon in
the world since the start of the Corona pandemic.
"After months of deprivation and social distancing, SCC Events set a
decisive milestone with the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. At the world's largest
marathon since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, people are
beginning to find a new sense of trust through sport and are beginning to
feel safe again. Basic values of openness to the world, tolerance and
acceptance, which we championed for many years, can finally be lived again.
On the way back to normality, society needs precisely these emotions," said
Jürgen Lock, the general manager of organizer SCC Events.
Men's Race
The lead group with pacemakers went through the first half of the race at
world record pace. It was no surprise to see Kenenisa Bekele and Guye Adola
among them, the latter having finished second in Berlin four years ago and
set what was then an unofficial world record for a marathon debut of
2:03:36, but their four companions were less well known: the Kenyan duo of
Philemon Kacheran and Abraham Kipyatich and the Ethiopians Tesfaye Lencho
and Olika Adugna. The group went through 10km in 28:47, a pace which
pointed to a world record time of just under 2:01:30.
Olika Adugna was the first to drop off the fast pace but the big surprise
came when Kenenisa Bekele was the next to feel the pressure. The 2019
champion lost contact with the lead group between 17 and 18 kilometres as
they went through halfway in world record tempo of 60:48 with Bekele timed
at 61:00, still a very fast time. His chance of at least victory appeared
to have revived by 27 kilometres since the triple Olympic champion was back
in front after the group had slowed dramatically. It was all about
competition now rather than the world record since times for some of the
individual kilometres were over three minutes.
Guye Adola went clear of Bekele shortly before 35 kilometres and appeared
to have victory sealed. But there were still more unexpected events to come
as Bethwel Yegon emerged to challenge the leader, having made a remarkable
move through the field. They were together till just before 40 kilometres
when Adola, runner-up to Eliud Kipchoge when the great Kenyan won here four
years ago, found fresh energy and broke free en route to the biggest win of
his career to date. "I believed I had a chance of beating Kenenisa going
into the race. It was very warm and my feet were burning in my shoes,” said
Guye Adola. Kenenisa Bekele explained that: "The big problem was lack of
training because of the pandemic. I missed out on some training sessions.
But my career is definitely not over.”
On a tough day for elite and mass runners alike because of rising
temperatures and humidity, Philipp Pflieger struggled as well. The German
had to dig deep when his original target of 2:12 faded from view after a
promising first half of 65:55. "I ran the last 17 kilometres alone and for
the last five it was just a case of survival till the finish line,"
reflected Pflieger.
Women's Race
For long parts of the race the women's leading group was on a pace for a
sub 2:19 finish. A group of four reached half way in a promising 69:19.
World leader Hiwot Gebrekidan, who ran 2:19:35 in spring, Helen Tola,
debutant Gotytom Gebreslase and Kenya's Fancy Chemutai formed the first
group behind the pacemakers at this stage.
With around 10k to go it was Gotytom Gebreslase who increased the pace and
moved ahead of pre-race favourite Hiwot Gebrekidan. She was still going
very fast at 35k with a split time of 1:54:54 which pointed to a 2:18:30
finishing time. However on the final kilometres the warm temperatures took
its toll. Gotytom Gebreslase was not able to keep the pace and in the end
she missed a sub 2:20 time by just ten seconds. "Although it was my first
marathon it was my aim to win the race. Berlin has a great course and I
would like to come back for this race," said Gotytom Gebreslase.
Germany's Rabea Schöneborn struggled in the warm conditions as well. After
a first half of 73:56 she was not able to produce a negative split and
attack her personal best of 2:27:03. "It was tough with the warm
temperatures and I am not happy with my time. But it was a great
experience," said Rabea Schöneborn, who ran the marathon in her hometown
for the first time.
Results, Men:
1. Guye Adola ETH 2:05:45
2. Bethwel Yegon KEN 2:06:14
3. Kenensia Bekele ETH 2:06:47
4. Tadu Abate ETH 2:08:24
5. Cosmas Muteti KEN 2:08:45
6. Philemon Kacheran KEN 2:09:29
7. Okbay Tsegay ERI 2:10:37
8. Benard Kimeli KEN 2:10:50
9. Hidekazu Hijikata JPN 2:11:47
10. Hosea Kipkemboi KEN 2:12:25
Women:
1. Gotytom Gebreslase ETH 2:20:09
2. Hiwot Gebrekidan ETH 2:21:23
3. Helen Tola ETH 2:23:05
4. Edith Chelimo KEN 2:24:33
5. Shure Demise ETH 2:24:43
6. Fancy Chemutai KEN 2:24:58
7. Izabela Paszkiewicz POL 2:27:41
8. Ruth Chebitok KEN 2:28:18
9. Rabea Schöneborn GER 2:28:49
10. Martina Strähl SUI 2:30:37
More information is available online at: www.berlin-marathon.com
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