It’s do-or-die in Berlin Marathon: World’s fastest marathoners chase glory in German city
Athletics
By
JONATHAN KOMEN
| Sep 24, 2017
Kipchoge, Kipsang and Bekele battle for world record as Cherono keen to reclaim women title.
Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge, defending BMW Berlin Marathon champion Kenenisa Bekele and former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang are chasing a world record at the 44th BMW Berlin Marathon this morning.
The three strongest marathon runners in the world want to break the world record of 2:02:57 which Kenya’s Dennis Kimetto set three years ago in Berlin.
It will be just the second time this trio has raced one another in a marathon, but the first time they have done so on a course that has played host to the past six world records.
Bekele triumphed beside the Brandenburg Gate last year in 2:03:03, the second-fastest performance of all time, with Kipsang finishing second in a PB of 2:03:13. Kipchoge ran his best time of 2:03:05 to win in London last year.
Another feature they have in common is that they all know what it feels like to stand on top of the podium in Berlin.
“We haven’t finished working out what times the pacemakers are going to aiming for, but it will definitely not be slower than last year,” said race director Mark Milde. In 2016 the leading group went through halfway in 1:01:11.
Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 on Monza’s Formula One circuit in early May, but this was in an event which didn’t confirm to international rules.
“For me this marathon was a big success and I have drawn a lot of motivation from it,” Kipchoge said at the Berlin Marathon press conference on Friday. “I want to run the first half in 1:00:45 on Sunday.”
“Victory on its own is no success – it is simply a necessity,” said Kipchoge. “There are three of us and there will be only one winner.”
If Bekele were to break the world record today, the Ethiopian would complete a historic achievement. No athlete in history has concurrently held the world records for 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon. But he won’t be adopting the same strategy as Kipchoge this weekend.
“I think I can run faster than last year,” said Bekele. “1:00:45 has no place in my plans. I shall follow the lead if I can. That way I won’t put myself under stress and listen to my body. I am well prepared.”
Kipsang also wants to run faster than he did last year. “This time it’s a different situation,” said Kipsang. “There are three of us. The pacemakers are stronger this time. I believe we shall have more support. A halfway split of between 1:01:00 and 1:01:10 would be good for me.”
Gladys Cherono will start as the favourite for the women’s race, having won in Berlin two years ago in a lifetime best of 2:19:25 and coming within 13 seconds of the course record set in 2005 by Japan’s Mizuki Noguchi.