Ethiopian athletes stole the spotlight at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday as Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema delivered commanding performances in the men’s and women’s races, solidifying Ethiopia’s dominance in global marathon events.
Milkesa Mengesha, 24, claimed victory in the men’s marathon, crossing the finish line with a personal best time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 17 seconds. Mengesha faced fierce competition from Kenya’s Cyrbian Kotut, who finished just five seconds behind with a time of 2:03:22. Fellow Ethiopian, Haymanot Alew, completed the podium, marking another successful day for Ethiopia in one of the world’s most prestigious marathon events.
The final kilometer was a gripping contest between Mengesha and Kotut. The two runners were neck and neck, battling for supremacy on the flat, fast Berlin course. However, Mengesha displayed remarkable endurance and speed, surging ahead in the final stretch to secure his victory.
“I had been training very hard for this course. I knew it was very flat, and I could run very fast times,” Mengesha said through a translator. Reflecting on his preparation, Mengesha revealed that his confidence was shaken after a disappointing run at the London Marathon, where he had to stop at the 38-kilometer mark due to physical issues. “I was very worried about that,” he added, expressing relief and pride at his remarkable recovery and triumph in Berlin.
Despite Mengesha’s strong finish, pre-race favorite Tadese Takele, also from Ethiopia, fell short of expectations. Takele, who had been seen as a top contender with five-time winner Eliud Kipchoge absent from the race, finished in seventh place. While the race didn’t go as planned for Takele, Ethiopia’s marathoners still secured an impressive win and two podium finishes in the men’s competition.
The Ethiopian success extended beyond the men’s race. Tigist Ketema claimed the women’s title in equally spectacular fashion, crossing the finish line in 2:16:42, the third-fastest time ever recorded in the Berlin Marathon’s women’s division. Ketema’s victory was nothing short of dominant, finishing over two minutes ahead of her fellow Ethiopian competitors, Mestawot Fikir and Bosena Mulatie, who secured second and third places, respectively. The all-Ethiopian podium reinforced the nation’s unmatched depth of talent in long-distance running.
Ketema’s race strategy was evident early on as she built a significant lead during the first half of the marathon, showing no signs of slowing down. Her control over the race allowed her to clinch victory comfortably. “I’m very grateful to be in Berlin. I am very happy and, with the help of God, I was able to win this race,” the 26-year-old marathoner said after her triumph.
While Ketema’s time of 2:16:42 was five minutes slower than Tigst Assefa’s world-record-breaking 2:11:53 at last year’s Berlin Marathon, her achievement remains a testament to her strength and consistency, placing her in elite company among marathon runners.
The absence of big names, partly due to the close proximity of the Paris Olympics, didn’t detract from the intensity of the competition in Berlin. The race was still fiercely contested, with both the men’s and women’s winners delivering strong performances to uphold Ethiopia’s legacy in global marathons.
Ethiopia’s dominance in Berlin once again highlights the country’s incredible athletic prowess, with its athletes continuing to inspire on the international stage. For Mengesha and Ketema, their victories in Berlin not only bring personal glory but also contribute to Ethiopia’s rich tradition of producing world-class marathon champions.
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