Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema Dominate 2024 Berlin Marathon

The 2024 Berlin Marathon saw thrilling victories in both the men’s and women’s elite races with Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema taking top honors. The event, held on Sunday, September 29, marked the 50th edition of the marathon, renowned for its flat course that often produces world record-breaking times.

Milkesa Mengesha crossed the finish line first in the men’s race with an impressive time of 2:03:17. The final kilometers developed into an intense contest between Mengesha and Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut. The two athletes were neck and neck as they approached the Brandenburg Gate, but Mengesha increased his pace during the final stretch to secure his victory. Kotut finished closely behind in 2:03:22, with Ethiopia’s Haymanot Alew completing the podium in 2:03:31.

The men’s race maintained a fast pace from the onset, with a lead pack of over 20 athletes including Tadese Takele, a pre-race favorite. The lead group passed the halfway mark at 60:57, after which the race broke up as pacemakers withdrew and strategies came into play. Takele, unfortunately, fell out of contention in the closing stages.

In the women’s race, Tigist Ketema led from early on, running a remarkable solo race. Ketema, aged 26, established an unassailable lead with her pace, clocking 2:16:42 – the third-fastest winning time in the marathon’s history. Her victory secured Ethiopia’s dominance with fellow Ethiopians Mestawot Fikir and Bosena Mulatie taking second and third places, finishing in 2:18:48 and 2:19:00, respectively.

The wheelchair races also featured strong performances, with Marcel Hug of Switzerland winning the men’s wheelchair event in 1:27:18, while Catherine Debrunner, also from Switzerland, triumphed in the women’s division with a time of 1:35:23.

The Berlin Marathon continues to be a showcase of endurance and speed, attracting elite runners and wheelchair athletes from around the globe. This year’s event further cements Berlin’s reputation as a stage for spectacular athletic achievements.