Ethiopian Runner, Tigst Assefa, Breaks Women's Marathon World Record In Berlin

Ethiopian Tigst Assefa managed to break the world record of women's marathon running in Berlin (photo: twitter @WorldAthletics)

JAKARTA - The Assefa Tigst of Ethiopia managed to break the world record of women's marathon running in Berlin on Sunday, September 24. It was able to reduce more than two minutes from the previous record, to official two hours 11 minutes and 53 seconds.

Assefa, made the initial tempo very fast. He gradually eliminated all competition to beat Kenya's runner, Brigid Kosgei, two hours 14 minutes and four seconds recorded in 2019.

"I know I want to break the world record, but I never thought I could record a time like this," 26-year-old Assefa said. "This is the result of hard work," said the former 800-meter runner.

#berlinmarathon Official Women results:1. Tigst Assefa ETH 2:11:532. Sheila Chepkirui KEN 2:17:493. Magdalena Shauri TAN 2:18:414. Zeineba Yimer ETH 2:19:075. Senbere Teferi ETH 2:19:21

— BMW BERLIN-MARATHON (@berlinmarathonE) September 24, 2023

#berlinm Marathon Official Women results:1.Tigst Assefa ETH 2:11:532. Sheila Chepkiri KEN 2:17:493. Magdalena Shauri TAN 2:18:414. Zeineba Yimer ETH 2:19:075. Sencere Teferi ETH 2:19:21

With the time he has reached, he has set benchmarks for next year's Paris Olympics and is almost certain to secure a place in the Ethiopian Olympic team for 2024.

"I have set the benchmark now. The decision is not with me but with the officials. The decision is in the hands of the National Committee to elect me for the team," said Assefa.

Assefa, who only started a marathon race in April last year, made his intentions clear from the start at a very fast tempo.

WORLD RECORD🇪🇹's Tigst Assefa obliterates the women's marathon world record* in Berlin 🤯2:11:53 🚀*Subject to the usual ratification procedures pic.twitter.com/RIAr17ByTN

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) September 24, 2023

WORLD RECORD Shallow's Tigst Assefa obliterates the women's marathon world record* in Berlin 11:53 Subject to the usual ratification procurement pic.twitter.com/Rian17ByTN

Together with their compatriot, Workenesh Edesa, they opened the gap from the pursuit group, but the Edesa were unable to follow and were left at 17th kilometer by Assefa.

Meanwhile Sheila Chepkirui from Kenya finished second nearly six minutes later, with Magdalena Shauri from Tanzania finishing third

Assefa's incredible victory outperformed Eliud Kipchoge's victory, the male marathon world record holder, who won all five records on fast and flat tracks like Berlin.

The 38-year-old Kenyan, who wants to win his third Olympic marathon medal next year in Paris, is not close to the record he set in Berlin last year. He only recorded two hours and 42 seconds.

"I've always learned from every race and every win," said Kipchoge. "I'm very happy to win my fifth race in Berlin and I will use this lesson in my preparation for the Olympics."

Vincent Kipkemoi from Kenya finished second, with a time of two hours three minutes 13 seconds, and Tadese Takele from Ethiopia finished third.

Climate activists, who have threatened to disrupt the event, are trying to run to the track in orange paint buckets. But their actions were immediately stopped and taken away by the police just minutes before the race started.