Ethiopian marathon star Tigst Assefa secured victory at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday despite struggling with an apparent tendon injury in the closing stages.
The 29-year-old crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 11 minutes and four seconds, recording the third-fastest women’s marathon time ever.
Assefa had appeared on course to challenge the world record after establishing a commanding lead early in the race.
She was around a minute ahead of her rivals at 15km and remained inside record pace until approximately the 35km mark.
However, her progress was disrupted by severe discomfort, causing her speed to drop dramatically during the final kilometres.
Kenyan runner Ruth Chepngetich continues to hold the women’s world record of 2:09:56, achieved at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
Her mark remains officially recognised despite her receiving a three-year doping suspension in 2025.
Assefa, who won the London Marathon earlier this year, nevertheless produced a new Berlin course record.
Her winning time surpassed the 2:11:53 mark she established at the same event in 2023.
She also significantly improved on her 2:15:41 performance from this year’s London Marathon.
Berlin race director Mark Milde praised Assefa’s determination to complete the event despite her difficulties.
Milde said the athlete had been performing at world-record level for much of the race before an apparent tendon problem affected her.
He described her effort to reach the finish as extraordinary given the pain she appeared to experience.
Ethiopia dominated the women’s podium, with Bedatu Hirpa taking second place and Dera Dida finishing third.
The five leading female competitors were all Ethiopian.
In the men’s event, Ethiopia’s Guye Adola claimed first position after completing the course in 2:02:50.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong