Marathon Stars Chase World Records at Berlin in September

The fastest marathon runners on Earth are heading back to Berlin, and they're bringing history with them.

Ethiopian runner Tigst Assefa announced she'll return to the BMW Berlin Marathon on September 27 with one goal: break the women's world record. She set the previous mark of 2:11:53 when she won Berlin in 2023, but Kenya's Ruth Chepngetich later ran 2:09:56 in Chicago, becoming the only woman to break 2:10.

Assefa isn't backing down. At the 2026 London Marathon, she set the women's only marathon record of 2:15:41, proving she still has the speed to compete at the highest level.

"It's with immense pleasure that three years after my world record in 2023, I will be running again on the streets of Berlin and trying again to break the world record," Assefa said. She's already won Berlin twice, in 2022 and 2023, and knows the fast, flat course well.

On the men's side, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe is returning to defend his 2025 Berlin title. Earlier this year at London, he made headlines by running 1:59:30, becoming only the second man ever to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon.

Sawe remains undefeated in his marathon career and has already hinted he wants to go even faster. While he hasn't confirmed Berlin will be the venue for another record attempt, he's promised to "prepare myself to the best of my ability."

The defending women's champion, Kenya's Rosemary Wanjiru, will also compete after running 2:21:05 in difficult conditions last year. Her personal best of 2:16:14 shows she's capable of much faster times when the weather cooperates.

Why This Inspires

Berlin's course has launched more world records than almost any other major marathon. The city's flat streets and supportive crowds create the perfect stage for runners to achieve what once seemed impossible.

Just a few years ago, breaking two hours seemed like science fiction. Now, with two men having done it and women closing in on the 2:10 barrier, the sport continues pushing human limits in ways that inspire millions of recreational runners worldwide.

Race director Mark Milde captured the excitement perfectly: "Berlin remains a stage for records, emotions and extraordinary achievements."

If conditions align on September 27, the world will witness another chapter in marathon history.

#