Eliud Kipchoge to miss Berlin Marathon as organisers unveil top entries

Eliud Kipchoge to miss Berlin Marathon as organisers unveil top entries

Abigael Wafula 12:00 - 17.08.2024

Eliud Kipchoge will not be in action at this year's Berlin Marathon, one of his favourite courses in his history of marathon running.

Eliud Kipchoge will not be returning to his favourite course after the Berlin Marathon organisers announced the leading entries.

The Berlin Marathon remains Kipchoge’s place of history as he has won the marathon title five times, setting world records on two occasions. He set the first marathon world record during the 2018 edition of the marathon, clocking a stunning 2:01:39 to break the previous world record by 1 minute and 18 seconds.

The previous record was set by fellow countryman Dennis Kimetto who clocked a blistering 2:02:57 to win the 2014 edition of the marathon.

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The four-time London marathon champion bettered his world record during the 2022 edition of the marathon, clocking 2:01:09 to beat his world record by 30 seconds.

The organisers confirmed that Kipchoge will not race the Berlin Marathon, confirming that Tadese Takele, with a personal best time of 2:03:24, will lead the entries.

The Kenyan duo of Ronald Korir and Cybrian Kotut with personal best times of 2:04:22 and 2:04:34 respectively will also be in the field. Another Ethiopian, Hailemaryam Kiros will also be looking to challenge the Kenyans with Kibiwott Kandie looking to take over from where Kipchoge left from.

Bazezew Asmare, Samwel Mailu, and Milkesa Mengesha have also been included in the deep field with Haymanot Alew and Philimon K. Kipchumba sealing the top entries.

The women’s field is headlined by Ethiopia’s Tigist Ketema who has a personal best time of 2:16:07. Rosemary Wanjiru, Genzebe Dibaba and Yebregual Melese are also among the top entries in the hotly contested race.

Other Ethiopians confirmed for the race include Mestawot Fikir, Azmera Gebru, Sisay Meseret Gola, Ababel Yeshaneh and Fiktre Wereta. Mizuki Matsuda of Japan has also made the list.