A new world record was set at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday. Ethiopian Tigist Assefa won on Sunday with a time of 2:11:53 hours. This meant that she was clearly below the previous best time set by Brizig Konsgei of Kenya. He clocked 2:14:04 in Chicago in 2019. Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge became the first runner to win in Berlin for the fifth time, but missed the world record in 2:02:42. A climate disruption campaign was foiled by police before it began.
Kipchoge, 38, finished ahead of his compatriot Vincent Kipkemoi (2:03:13) and Ethiopian Tadesse Takele (2:03:24). Kenyon will be guest on Wednesday at the Prater Haupthalle for various dates in Vienna. In 2022, Kipchoge set the current world record of 2:01:09. Initially, the two-time Olympic champion was on track to set the record once again, but was unable to maintain high speed in perfect running conditions.
At least he saved the success from the pursuers until the end and will no longer have to share the number for most victories in the German capital with Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie.
According to Berlin police, an attempt to disrupt the event by climate protection group Last Generation shortly before the start was foiled. A total of eight people entered the Strasse des 17 Juni road from two sides and spread orange paint, a police spokesman said on Sunday. There would also be banners of Last Generation Group with them.
Before the workers could attach themselves, emergency services intervened. The spokesperson said police were now establishing personal details and that the freedom of activists was initially restricted. It will be investigated to what extent they can be detained.
“We are doing this because we are in serious trouble. In danger of existence!” Last Generation wrote about the campaign on Platform X, formerly Twitter. “By the way: We are as sorry to interrupt a craftsman’s everyday life as we are to interrupt a runner’s long-awaited competition.”
