By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Ethiopia showcased its marathon prowess on Sunday, winning both the men’s and women’s races at the Berlin Marathon. Milkesa Mengesha, 24, secured victory in the men’s event, finishing in 2:03:17, just five seconds ahead of Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut.
Mengesha noted, “I felt strong in the final stretch and knew I could push ahead.” In the women’s race, Tigist Ketema, 26, triumphed with a time of 2:16:42, over two minutes clear of her compatriots Mestawot Fikir and Bosena Mulatie.
Although Ketema’s time was five minutes slower than last year’s world record set by Tigist Assefa, it remains the third-fastest in the marathon’s history. Ketema expressed, “Winning here means everything to me.”
Great Britain’s Calli Hauger-Thackery was the first European finisher, placing seventh in 2:21:24, marking the sixth-fastest marathon by a British woman. In the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir finished second, trailing Switzerland’s Marcel Hug, the Olympic champion, who clocked 1:27:18.
The event marked its 50th anniversary, but notable athletes like Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge were absent following the recent Paris Olympics.
Source: Reuters
