Ethiopians steal the show in Berlin Marathon

The 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon kicks off in Berlin.

Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele staged a thrilling comeback to win the Berlin marathon on Sunday, recording the second fastest time ever to finish just two seconds short of the world record.

Bekele who won the 2016 winner Berlin Marathon finished in two hours, one minute and 41 seconds, narrowly missing Eliud Kipchoge’s world record time.

Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele.

Kipchoge, who set the world’s best mark in Berlin last year, was absent to prepare for his renewed sub-two hour marathon attempt in Vienna on Oct. 12.

Bekele was part of a group, including fellow countrymen Birhanu Legese and Sisay Lemma, that quickly broke from the pack with a quick pace.

Ethiopian Ashete Bekere has won the women's race with a time of 2:20:14 as Mare Dibaba came in second.

Defending champion Gladys Cherono opted out of the race at 32km for what looked like an injury.

Gladys Cherono opted out of the race at 32km.