African Stars Set to Light Up Berlin Marathon
The Berlin Marathon returns on Sunday, 27 September, with Kenya and Ethiopia once again at the centre of the action.
The women’s race is attracting particular attention, with Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa chasing another record-breaking performance while Kenya’s defending champion Rosemary Wanjiru returns to a course where she already knows what it takes to win.
Assefa Chases Another Piece of History
Assefa returns to Berlin, the city where she produced her stunning 2:11:53 world record in 2023.
That mark has since been lowered to 2:09:56 by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich. Assefa, however, has continued to push the limits, improving her women-only world record to 2:15:41 in London earlier this year.
She now returns to Berlin with ambitions of reclaiming the global record.
Standing in her way will be a strong African field, including Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru.
Wanjiru Returns to Defend Her Crown
Wanjiru returns as the defending Berlin champion after winning last year’s race in 2:21:05.
She also has previous experience on the course, having finished second when she made her marathon debut in Berlin in 2022.
Ethiopian former world champion Amane Beriso adds another major name to a women’s field packed with African talent.
With Assefa chasing history and Wanjiru looking to retain her title, the women’s race has plenty at stake.
Sawe’s Absence Changes the Men’s Race
The men’s race will be missing Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe, who has withdrawn because of injury.
Sawe won the 2025 Berlin Marathon in 2:02:16 before producing one of the most remarkable marathon performances of 2026. In April, he ran 1:59:30 in London, becoming the first man to break two hours in a competitive marathon.
His withdrawal leaves the men’s contest wide open, with Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha among the names to watch.
Mengesha won Berlin in 2024 in 2:03:17, while compatriot Chimdessa Debele returns after finishing third behind Sawe in 2025.
African runners have consistently featured at the sharp end of the Berlin Marathon, with Kenyan and Ethiopian athletes regularly fighting for podium places.
A Marathon Built for Records
Berlin has earned a reputation as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world.
The men’s world record has been broken seven times at the race since its inaugural edition in 1974 — more than at any other marathon.
Ethiopia’s Haile Gebrselassie made history by breaking the men’s world record in Berlin twice in consecutive years, running 2:04:26 in 2007 before improving it to 2:03:59 in 2008.
Kenya’s Paul Tergat also set a world record in Berlin in 2003, clocking 2:04:55. He was pushed all the way by compatriot Sammy Korir, who finished just one second behind him.
The women’s race has produced its own share of history. Ethiopia’s Tegla Loroupe set a world record of 2:20:43 in Berlin in 1999, while Japan’s Naoko Takahashi became the first woman to break 2:20 at the event in 2001 with 2:19:46.
The race itself has also come a long way. The inaugural Berlin Marathon in 1974 had just 286 runners and took place in the Grunewald Forest. Today, it attracts more than 40,000 finishers.
When and Where to Watch
Berlin Marathon – Sunday, 27 September
07:00 CAT
Live on SuperSport Action and SuperSport Maximo 3
With Assefa chasing another piece of history, Wanjiru defending her title and African runners again featuring prominently across the field, Berlin is set for another major day of marathon running.
