New York, NY – Hellen Obiri of Kenya left a lasting impression in the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, claiming victory with an awe-inspiring final mile of 4 minutes and 52 seconds, narrowly besting Ethiopia's Letesenbet Gidey. Obiri completed the marathon in 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 23 seconds. This year's race was distinguished by a slow start, resulting in Obiri's winning time becoming the slowest in 13 years. The elite women's field remained tightly packed for the initial 10 kilometers.
The best elite women’s field in its history will line up for the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON on Sunday. An unprecedented total of seven runners with personal bests under 2:20 will be competing, among them the defending champion and course record holder Tigst Assefa. Last year the Ethiopian carved her express way through the Brandenburg Gate to achieve the sensational performance with 2:15:37.
Mestawut Fikir and Mulugeta Uma showcased Ethiopian excellence on the global stage as they clinched victory at the prestigious Schneider Electric Paris Marathon on Sunday (7).
Berlin, September 24, 2023 - September 24, 2023, will forever be etched in the annals of women's marathon history as the day Tigst Assefa, hailing from Ethiopia, not only won the 2023 BMW Berlin Marathon but also obliterated the existing world record. Running under ideal conditions in Berlin, Assefa crossed the finish line in an astonishing 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds, a staggering two minutes and eleven seconds faster than Brigid Kosgei's previous world record of 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 4 seconds. In a groundbreaking achievement, Assefa became the first woman in history to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 12 minutes, setting a new standard in the sport.
Peres Jepchirchir, the Kenyan Olympic champion, outran Ethiopian world record holder Tigst Assefa in the last stages of the 2024 London Marathon in an incredible feat of skill and willpower. Her remarkable accomplishment cemented her position in history.
Berlin, Germany - Eliud Kipchoge, the celebrated Kenyan marathoner, once again asserted his dominance in the Berlin Marathon on a magnificent Sunday morning. In a remarkable display of athleticism, Kipchoge secured his fifth Berlin Marathon title, breaking the tie with the legendary Haile Gebrselassie. Crossing the finish line in a breathtaking time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 42 seconds, Kipchoge left his competitors stunned. This victory was a triumphant comeback for Kipchoge, who faced disappointment with a 6th-place finish at the Boston Marathon earlier in April, just ahead of his 39th birthday in November.
The world of athletics celebrated six remarkable athletes - Tigist Assefa, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, and Yulimar Rojas - as the standout performers of 2023. These exceptional individuals were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the prestigious World Athletics Awards ceremony, marking the culmination of a year filled with exceptional records and accomplishments.
In an electrifying showcase of sporting prowess, Ethiopia's Meseret Belete and Kenya's Joshua Belet clinched victory at the TCS Amsterdam Marathon this past Sunday. The esteemed World Athletics Platinum Label road race witnessed exceptional performances, with Belete clocking in at 2:18:21 and Belet finishing in a remarkable 2:04:18. These two extraordinary athletes now hold the distinction of achieving the third-fastest winning times ever witnessed in the historic Dutch capital.
In a stunning demonstration of athletic prowess, Workenesh Edesa shattered the course record at the Osaka Women’s Marathon, claiming victory in the World Athletics Platinum Label road race with a remarkable time of 2:18:51 on Sunday (28).
Sifan Hassan, the Dutch athlete who became an Olympic champion in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events, made a remarkable debut in the London Marathon, emerging as a surprise winner despite injury and near-accidents. Hassan gave a masterclass in breaking every rule in the marathon book, stopping twice to stretch an injured hip and almost pulling out. In the men's race, Kelvin Kiptum, a 23-year-old Kenyan, put up a remarkable performance, surging powerfully ahead with eight miles to go and leaving behind some of the fastest men in history.
