By Eddah Waithaka
The 2026 Berlin Marathon arrives on 27 September with African distance runners once again poised to dominate both races and one athlete stands on the brink of history.
Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa headlines the women’s field, returning to the course where she delivered a stunning 2:11:53 world record in 2023. The former world-record holder has openly declared her ambition to reclaim the mark, which Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich lowered to 2:09:56. Assefa sharpened her form earlier this year by improving her women-only world record to 2:15:41 in London.
She will not have it easy. Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya returns to Berlin after winning the 2025 edition in 2:21:05. Wanjiru knows the course well, she finished runner-up on her marathon debut there in 2022. Ethiopian former world champion Amane Beriso adds yet more depth to a loaded women’s field.
Sawe Withdrawal Shakes Men’s Race
The men’s contest lost its biggest star when Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe withdrew through injury. Sawe won Berlin in 2025 in 2:02:16 and then shocked the sport in April 2026 by running 1:59:30 in London — becoming the first man to break two hours in a competitive marathon.
His absence opens the door for Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha, who won Berlin in 2024 in 2:03:17. Fellow Ethiopian Chimdessa Debele, third behind Sawe last year, will also contend.
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Africa’s Grip on Berlin
History favours the continent. Ethiopian and Kenyan runners have dominated the women’s race in recent years, while Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge defined Berlin’s modern men’s era with a 2:01:09 course record in 2022 that still stands as the benchmark.
What Makes Berlin Special
· World-record capital: Men’s marathon world records have fallen seven times in Berlin since 1974 — more than at any other marathon.
· Gebrselassie’s double: Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie became the first man to break the marathon world record in Berlin twice, in consecutive years (2:04:26 in 2007, 2:03:59 in 2008).
· Tergat’s thriller: Kenya’s Paul Tergat ran 2:04:55 in 2003, holding off compatriot Sammy Korir by one second.
· Fast women: Ethiopia’s Tegla Loroupe set a women’s world record in Berlin in 1999 (2:20:43), and Japan’s Naoko Takahashi became the first woman to break 2:20 there in 2001 (2:19:46).
· Humble beginnings: The inaugural 1974 race drew just 286 runners in the Grunewald Forest. Today it attracts more than 40,000 finishers.
Broadcast Details (Times CAT)
Berlin Marathon — Sunday 27 September
07:00: 52nd Edition — LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport Maximo 3
