Tigist Ketema: Poised to Become Ethiopia's Next Marathon Sensation in Berlin?

Thursday, 26 September 2024

In 1998, the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON marked its 25th edition with a stunning world record by Ronaldo da Costa, a relatively overlooked contender before the race. As the marathon approaches its 50th anniversary, all eyes are on whether this landmark event will witness another groundbreaking performance in the women's category.

Last year, Tigst Assefa set a formidable world record at 2:11:53, elevating the standards and expectations at Berlin to new heights. While predicting another world record might be overly ambitious, Tigist Ketema, Assefa's training partner and an Olympic silver medalist, shows promise for an exceptional performance. Having debuted impressively in Dubai with a time of 2:16:07, Ketema now ranks as the ninth fastest woman in marathon history. She plans to push for a personal best, targeting the first half of the race in about 68 minutes, weather permitting.

Ketema enters as a strong favorite in a field packed with elite talent. Mark Milde, the Race Director, highlighted the competitive nature of the race, noting that this year's event features eleven women who have finished under 2:22—a feat matched only by last year's race.

Among the contenders is Genzebe Dibaba, a former 1500m world record holder and sister to running legend Tirunesh Dibaba. Having debuted at 2:18:05 in Amsterdam, Genzebe is eager to surpass her personal best, inspired by Haile Gebrselassie's record-setting performances in Berlin.

Melat Kejeta carries the hopes of Germany. Despite recent challenges, including a withdrawal from the Paris Games due to health issues, Kejeta aims to better her personal best of 2:21:47 set in Dubai. She remains cautiously optimistic about her prospects, especially considering a recent knee concern.

The race not only celebrates its 50th edition but also showcases an array of global marathon talent, setting the stage for what could be another memorable chapter in Berlin's storied athletic history.

Elite Women for the 50th BMW BERLIN-MARATHON: