Berlin Marathon 2026: Guye Adola wins, Tigst Assefa misses out on world record

Guye Adola celebrating winning the men’s Berlin Marathon. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Ethiopia’s Guye Adola won the men’s Berlin Marathon on Sunday, while compatriot Tigst Assefa’s attempt to reclaim the women’s world record ended in disappointment after a late injury.

Assefa, 29, was on pace to beat Ruth Chepngetich’s world record of 2:09:56 set at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, but she suffered a leg problem in the closing kilometres before the Brandenburg Gate. She limped over the line in an unofficial 2:11:04, then collapsed in pain, finishing well short of the mark despite producing the third-fastest women’s marathon in history.

ALSO READ: Ngetich breaks world record in women-only half marathon at World Athletics ⁠Road Running Championships

Adola, 35, had crossed earlier in an unofficial 2:02:50, securing his second Berlin title after his 2021 victory. Fellow Ethiopian Gemechu Dida Diriba took second, 28 seconds behind, with Tanzania’s Gabriel Gerald Geay third.

World record holder Sabastian Sawe did not race because of injury but attended as a guest of honour. Start times were moved forward this year after last year’s heat issues; conditions on Sunday were near ideal, with autumn sunshine, little wind and only moderate warmth.

Published on Sep 27, 2026

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