Ethiopians dominate the 2024 Berlin Marathon as Kenyans struggle to impress

Berlin Marathon, 

Sunday, 29 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Ethiopia dominated Sunday's Berlin marathon claiming the gold and silver medals in both the men's and women's races. 

In the men's race earlier on Sunday after, Milkesa Mengesha clocked 2:03:17 to beat Kenya's Cyrbia Kotut by just five seconds, Cybrian Kotut clocked 2:03:22 while Another Ethiopian Haymanot Ayew won bronze at 2:03:31. Kenya's Stephen Kiprop finishes 4th in 2:03:37.

In the women's race, Tigist Ketema claimed victory in a time of 2:16:42, more than two minutes ahead of fellow Ethiopians Mestawot Fikir and Bosena Mulatie who finished Second and third at 2:18:48 and 2:19:00 respectively. 

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa broke the women’s world record with a time of 2:11:53 in last year's race, but while Ketema was five minutes slower than that, her winning time was still the third fastest in the event.

Six Kenyans participated in the Men's race against Ethiopia's five while only one Kenyan, Rosemary, Participated in the Women's race totally outnumbered by eight Ethiopians and one Japanese. 

The 50th edition of the prestigious London Marathon missed the names of greats like five-time winner Eliud Kipchoge, who won the 2022 men's race in a then world record time of 2:01:09. 

Ethiopia produced runners in five of the six podium places in the 2024 edition.