Two Kenyans inducted into Berlin Hall Marathon of Fame

By Peter Ochieng

Two Kenyan marathon legends have been inducted into the Berlin Marathon Hall of Fame, ahead of the 50th edition of the race, set for Sunday, September 2024.

Former marathon world record holders Tegla Loroupe and Patrick Makau, were inducted into the Berlin Marathon Hall of Fame on Thursday, this week.

Loroupe made history in 1999 as the first Kenyan woman to break the marathon world record, clocking a time of 2:20:43 at the Berlin Marathon.

"I really wanted to bring the record to Berlin,” she said after the recognition. The 51-year-old former marathoner continues giving back to the sport and the society, through the Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.

On the other hand, Patrick Makau etched his name into history with a record-breaking run in 2011, when he posted a time of 2:03:38 in Berlin.

"After winning in the rain, my goal was clear: I wanted to break the world record in Berlin because the course and conditions are ideal," Makau said during the recognition press conference.

However, the World Marathon record holder is the late Kelvin Kiptum. He set the 2:00:35 record during the Chicago Marathon in 2023. He died in February 2024, through a road accident.

According to World Athletics, the BMW Berlin Marathon has historically seen 13 world records shattered, underscoring its reputation as one of the globe's premier marathons.

Around 50,000 participants are expected to start the Marathon on Sunday, setting a new attendance record. Absent this year is Eliud Kipchoge, the winner of the last two editions.

Cybrian Kotut, Kibiwott Kandie, Samwel Mailu, Philemon Kipchumba, Josphat Boit, Enock Onchari, Justus Kangogo, Asbel Rutto and Stephen Kiprop are the Kenyans set to take part in the men race, while Veronica Maina will defend Kenya's flag in the women marathon race.