BMW BERLIN MARATHON ON SEPTEMBER 27.
Tigst Assefa returns to Berlin to attack the world record
Ethiopian Olympic silver medalist Tigst Assefa will return to BMW BERLIN MARATHON on September 27 is trying to restore the world record. While reigning champion Rosemary Wanjiru of Kenya looks set to defend her title in the German capital, Amane Beriso, another world-class runner from Ethiopia, also competed in the BMW BERLIN MARATHON. Organizers of Germany’s biggest and most spectacular marathon race have announced earlier that marathon superstar Sebastian Save will return to Berlin. The Kenyan clocked a world record of 1:59:30 in London this April, becoming the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier in a record-breaking race.
“The BMW BERLIN MARATHON promises to be an event of the highest caliber once again. Around 60,000 runners from 160 countries reflect the huge international appeal of the event. We are particularly impressed by the strong elite field of women. Athletes love it Tigst Asefa, Amane Beriso and defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru promises an exciting race. Berlin continues to be a stage of records, emotions and extraordinary achievements,” he said Race Director Mark Mild. He also confirmed that Germany Esther Pfeiffer will hold his first serious race on the classic distance on September 27. “Esther has had an exciting development recently and can continue that in the marathon.”
Former middle distance runner Tigst Assefa has already won BMW BERLIN MARATHON twice, producing sensational times both times. In 2022, the Ethiopian improved her personal best by almost 20 minutes to 2:15:37. A year later, he broke the world record, reaching new heights with a time of 2:11:53. 29 years old Olympic marathon silver medalist from Paris 2024, who also won silver at the 2025 World Championships, is the current world record holder for women-only races (without male pacemakers). Tigst Assefa first broke the record in London 2025 in 2:15:50 and then improved the mark to 2:15:41 this spring in a successful title defense in London. Back in Berlin, he is targeting a major world record of 2:09:56.
“I am extremely pleased that in 2023, three years after my world record, I will be running again on the streets of Berlin and will try to break the world record again. I thank the organizers for inviting me once again and everyone involved for their support during the marathon days, and I hope to see many spectators cheering me on,” said Tigst Assefa.
Amane Beriso Another world class runner from Ethiopia and a coaching partner of Tigst Assefa in Addis Ababa. The 34-year-old caused outrage 2022 Valencia Marathon when he held the world record for most of the race, then finished in 2:14:58, the third fastest time at the time. After this victory. he also participated in the marathon of the world championship held in Budapest In the summer of 2023 in hot conditions. After struggling with injuries, Amane Berriso is now aiming to return to Berlin.
Defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru returns to BMW BERLIN MARATHON. The 31-year-old Kenyan made a brilliant debut here in 2022 when he finished runner-up in a strong 2:18:00. Six months later, Wanjiru won the Tokyo Marathon. In 2025, he returned to K BMW BERLIN MARATHON and won in 2:21:05 despite being extremely exhausted in unseasonably warm conditions. The Kenyan will certainly be looking to improve on his personal best of 2:16:14 on the fast Berlin course.
Esther Pfeiffer has the potential to move into the top five on Germany’s all-time list in what will be his first major marathon. Three years ago he won his Cologne debut almost unchallenged in 2:37:00. Since then, the 28-year-old player has not run the distance of 42,195 km. But he has developed strongly over shorter distances. The wife of top German marathoner Hendrik Pfeiffer ran a 67:25 PB at the GENERALI BERLIN half marathon earlier this year.
More information is available online at: www.berlin-marathon.com
