Tigst Assefa faces Achilles surgery after Berlin Marathon win

Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa won the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, 27 September, in 2:11:04. A sharp slowdown near the finish ended her world-record challenge, but she still ran what World Athletics ranks as the third-fastest women’s marathon in history. [1]

Assefa reached 40km in 2:03:00, putting her on pace for a projected finish of 2:09:44 — 12 seconds inside the 2:09:56 world record. She then began limping and grimacing as her pace fell. Reuters reported that she suffered cramps in the final two kilometres; World Athletics described an apparent physical problem. [1] [2]

Her winning time took 49 seconds off the Berlin course record she set in 2023. It was her third victory in the race, following wins in 2022 and 2023. [1]

Bedatu Hirpa finished second in the women’s race in 2:16:53, two seconds ahead of Dera Dida. Ethiopia’s Guye Adola won the men’s race in a personal best of 2:02:50, completing an Ethiopian double. Gemechu Dida was second and Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay third. [1]

Update

Tigst Assefa needs Achilles tendon surgery after winning the Berlin Marathon, a spokesperson for the race organisers told German news agency dpa, as reported by ANP/DPA. The 29-year-old Ethiopian is expected to be sidelined for months. [4]