Berlin marathon: Kipchoge Holds Off Suprise Package Adola of Ethiopia

It was a race that had been billed as the ultimate clash between three marathon greats, but only one of them made it to the finish line at the BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday (24) as Eliud Kipchoge won the IAAF Gold Label road race in 2:03:32.

Of the other pre-race favourites, defending champion Kenenisa Bekele had drifted off the pace shortly after the half-way mark before dropping out some 10 kilometres later, while former world record-holder Wilson Kipsang stopped suddenly at 30 kilometres.

Instead, marathon debutant Guye Adola of Ethiopia somewhat surprisingly was Kipchoge’s only company for the final 12 kilometres of the race and they were locked in an intriguing duel right through to the closing stages. Kipchoge eventually won the battle of wills, but Adola was rewarded with the fastest marathon debut in history, finishing second in 2:03:46.

Meanwhile, Kipchoge’s compatriot and fellow 2015 Berlin Marathon winner Gladys Cherono also regained her title. The 34-year-old returned from an injury-blighted past 12 months to win the women’s race in 2:20:23.

Read more at: IAAF.org