Berlin-Marathon: VIDEOS

Over 40,000 runners take part in the Berlin Marathon every year... After the cancellation last year due to corona, it was finally possible to run through the German capital again on September 26, 2021. In good conditions, but slightly too warm temperatures, the top group was on a world record course until the half marathon distance. The leading group passed the half marathon mark in 1:00:48 hours. Top favorite Kenenisa Bekele was already 12 seconds behind the leaders at this point. But after that, the pace abruptly slowed down, allowing Bekele to catch up again. After 30 kilometers the two big Ethiopian favorites, Kenenisa Bekele and Guye Adola were in the front together with the Kenyan Philemon Kacheran. After Kacheran had to let go, Bekele could not follow either. But the race was not yet decided. The hitherto unknown Kenyan Bethwel Yegon started a fantastic race to catch up. The runner with a best time of 2:08:30 hours was already one and a half minutes behind. Five kilometers before the finish, he caught up with the leader Adola. But Adola was not impressed by this. After 40 kilometers he was again able to break away from surprise man Yegon. After 2:05:45 hours the Ethiopian Guye Adola ran in superior to the victory. It was the slowest winning time since 2009, when running legend Haile Gebrselassie celebrated his fourth and last victory at the Berlin Marathon with 2:06:08 hours. In addition, for the first time since 2010, no time under 2:05 hours succeeded at the Berlin Marathon. Bethwel Yegon followed in second place with 2:06:14 hours, top star Kenenisa Bekele remained only third with 2:06:47 hours. In total, six athletes achieved a time under 2:10 hours.