Kenenisa Bekele misses world record by two seconds in sensational comeback win at 46th BMW Berlin Marathon

Kenenisa Bekele wins 2019 Berlin Marathon

Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, the current world record and Olympic record holder in both the 5000-meter and 10,000-meter events, missed out on the world record by just two seconds as he completed a remarkable comeback to win the BMW Berlin Marathon

BERLIN – Kenenisa Bekele produced a sensational comeback win in the BMW Berlin Marathon on 29 September 2019, missing the world record by just two seconds with 2:01:41. The 37 year-old Ethiopian became the second fastest runner of all time, producing a world lead and a national record in a phenomenal performance. Back in 2016 Kenenisa Bekele had missed the world record by six seconds when he clocked 2:03:03 in his first Berlin triumph, this time he missed the mark of Eliud Kipchoge, who ran 2:01:39 here in 2018, by two seconds.

Behind Kenenisa Bekele his fellow-Ethiopian Birhanu Legese took second place with 2:02:48, making him the third fastest marathon runner ever. Sisay Lemma completed the Ethiopian triumph in Berlin with a world-class personal best of 2:03:36. “I knew that I was in top shape. But I also know that I can run even faster,” said Kenenisa Bekele, the three-time Olympic long distance champion and world record holder at 5,000 and 10,000 m.

In fine weather conditions Ashete Bekere took the women’s race in 2:20:14 from fellow-Ethiopian Mare Dibaba (2:20:21) and Kenya’s Sally Chepyego, who clocked 2:21:06. Germany’s Melat Kejeta produced a very good marathon debut with 2:23:57 in sixth place. She became the second fastest German behind Irina Mikitenko (2:19:19). In contrast, defending champion Gladys Cherono of Kenya dropped out at around 30km.

A record number of 46,983 runners from 150 countries entered the 46th BMW Berlin Marathon.

Results Men:
1. Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 2:01:41
2. Birhanu Legese (ETH) 2:02:48
3. Sisay Lemma (ETH) 2:03:36

Results Women:
1. Ashete Bekere (ETH) 2:20:14
2. Mare Dibaba (ETH) 2:20:21
3. Sally Chepyego (KEN) 2:21:06

Source: BMW BERLIN-MARATHON

1 Comment

  1. we are always proud of our heroes , thanks to GOD ! with no doubht, kenenissa will definitely secure back the world record on this track .

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