“Naturally we are delighted that we have been able to recruit a very strong field with Kenenisa Bekele at the top.”īekele’s compatriots Guye Adola and Olika Adugna could also produce impressive results. “We have connected almost seamlessly with where we had our last race in 2019,” said race director Mark Milde. The race is about more than one man, though, as the field includes 10 men with sub-2:10 PBs. “But Sunday’s race will be his best chance of a world record.” “Kenenisa has energy and the ability to be right up front at over 40,” said Hermens. This Sunday offers Bekele arguably his best chance of breaking the world record, which is a view shared by his Dutch manager Jos Hermens. “Sunday may not be my last chance of the world record, I want to run a couple of years more,” added the 39-year-old, who won the 2016 Berlin title in 2:03:03, only six seconds outside the then world record. This time I have more confidence and will do my best. Asked about the difference with his 2019 race in Berlin where he went so close to the world record, the three-time Olympic gold medallist said: “At the time it wasn’t clear whether I could run that fast. “I have prepared well, but the pandemic hasn’t made it easy in the last two years,” said Bekele.

Could Bekele make it a round dozen on Sunday? Thanks to that performance, Bekele remains the second fastest marathon runner of all time and heads Berlin’s elite field for this Sunday.Īlthough the 39-year-old made no concrete mention of a world record attempt at Friday’s press conference, there were signs that he had the target on his mind.Įleven marathon world records have been set in Berlin so far, more than at any other race. Two years ago he ran through the Brandenburg Gate on his way to an Ethiopian record of 2:01:41, a mere two seconds outside Eliud Kipchoge’s world record set on the same course just one year prior. Ethiopian long distance superstar Kenenisa Bekele will defend his BMW Berlin Marathon title on Sunday (26) in what will be his fourth appearance at the World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race.

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