Berlin Marathon: Bekele Misses Eliud Kipchoge’s World Record by Two Seconds

Ethiopian marathoner Kenenisa Bekele missed a historic moment, on Sunday, September 29, by a whisker after winning the 2019 Berlin Marathon just above 2 hours.

Bekele, a former Olympic and world champion, staged a wonderful comeback in Berlin to clock two hours, one minute and 41 seconds, a fete which is only 2 seconds shy of Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kichoge’s world record.

Kipchoge emerged the fastest marathon runner in the world last year, and in his absence, Bekele, winner in Berlin in 2016 and world record holder of 5,000 and 10,000 meters, took the advantage to show the world something.

The Kenyan and world’s great (Eliud Kipchoge) was absent to prepare for his renewed sub-two-hour marathon attempt slated for October 12, in Vienna.

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Official results:
Women:
1. Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:20:14
2. Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:20:21
3. Sally Chepyego (KEN) 2:21:06

— BMW BERLIN-MARATHON (@berlinmarathonE) September 29, 2019

In the women category, Kenya’s Gladys Cherono, who opted out of the race at 32km for what looked like an injury, lost her Berlin Marathon title to Ashete Bekere of Ethiopia.

Ashete Bekere clocked 2:20:14 to beat her compatriot Mare Dibaba, who eventually finished second with 2:20:21 record, as another Kenyan Sally Chepyego managed a podium finish with 2:21:06 record.