Wilson Kipsang joined an illustrious group of runners when he broke the world record at the 2013 BMW BERLIN-MARATHON with his time of 2:03:23. Kipsang of Kenya, now 34, contributed to the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON’S status as the fastest marathon in the world. Since Paul Tergat of Kenya ran the world record of 2:04:55 in Berlin in 2003, a further five world records have been set for the classic distance of 42.195km, the last one set in 2014 by fellow Kenyan runner Dennis Kimetto. Following his world record win in 2013, Wilson Kipsang went on to triumph in his two subsequent marathons, winning in London in 2014 and New York the same year.
Wilson Kipsang: the 2013 world record holder renews his challenge - SCC EVENTS/AgenceShot
The most successful long distance track runner of all time, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, will be running his fifth race at the distance when he lines up for this year’s BMW BERLIN-MARATHON. The 34-year-old is a triple Olympic champion and five times winner of World championship titles at 5 and 10,000m. That is by no means the end of his achievements which also include eleven titles in the World Cross Country Championships for the short and long course events. He is also world record holder at 5 and 10,000m. Kenenisa Bekele marked his marathon debut in 2014 with victory in Paris in 2:05:04, followed by fourth place in Chicago the same year in 2:05:51. His progress faltered in Dubai in early 2015, dropping out because of injury but he proved his pedigree once again with 2:06:36 for third place in London in 2016. It’s worth noting that his illustrious predecessor and compatriot, Haile Gebrselassie, went to the start line of seven marathons before his own great talent was fulfilled in the marathon – and what’s more, it was in Berlin in 2007 when Haile ran the first of his two world records in the marathon with 2:04:26.
The BMW BERLIN-MARATHON is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AWMM), a series of the six major marathons worldwide (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York).
Key Details of Leading Runners
Wilson Kipsang, Kenya
Dob: 15 March, 1982
Marathon PB: 2:03:23 (Berlin, 2013)
Major Marathon Achievements:
1st. London 2014
1st New York 2014
3rd Olympic Games, London 2012
1st Honolulu 2012
1st Frankfurt 2010 and 2011
1st Otsu, Japan 2011
Kenenisa Bekele, Ethiopia
Dob: 13 June, 1982
Marathon PB: 2:05:04 (Paris, 2014)
Major Achievements:
Olympic Gold medals in 2004 at 10,000m followed by gold at both 5 and 10,000m in 2008; Olympic silver medal at 5,000m in 2004.
Four times gold medallist in 10,000m in World Championships (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009) as well as 2009 World champion in 5,000m; World Championship bronze medallist in 2003 at 5,000m.
Winner of 10 World Cross Country titles from 2002 to 2006 at both short and long events as well as the long distance world title in 2008.
Current world record holder at both 5,000m (12:37.35 set in 2004) and 10,000m (26:20.31 in 2005)
World Records set in the Men's Marathon in Berlin
1998 Ronaldo da Costa BRA 2:06:05
2003 Paul Tergat KEN 2:04:55
2007 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 2:04:26
2008 Haile Gebrselassie ETH 2:03:59
2011 Patrick Makau KEN 2:03:38
2013 Dennis Kimetto KEN 2:02:57
The women’s world record in the marathon has been broken three times in Berlin: in 1977 by Christa Vahlensieck of West Germany with 2:34:48; Tegla Loroupe of Kenya with 2:20:34 in 1999 and Naoko Takahashi of Japan with 2:19:46 in 2001.
Kenenisa Bekele is keen to show his marathon prowess - SCC EVENTS/PHOTORUN
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