Eliud Kipchoge and Tigst Assefa are set to defend their BMW Berlin Marathon titles as they take on formidable fields in this World Athletics Elite Platinum Label road race on Sunday September 24.

Kipchoge, the two-time Olympic champion from Kenya, is chasing his fifth victory in the men’s race in Berlin, which would be a record.

Eliud Kipchoge’s time

He broke the world record by half a minute with a time of 2:01:09 in Berlin last year, marking his fourth win. Kipchoge previously won the Berlin Marathon in 2015, 2017, and 2018, setting a world record of 2:01:39 in the latter.

Speaking of his return to Berlin, Kipchoge said, “Berlin, for me, is like home. Looking at the Olympic Games in Paris next year, I considered which races would be the best preparation for me, and Berlin was the best option.”

Kipchoge, one of the greatest marathoners in history, has lost only three times in the 18 competitive marathons he’s raced. He’ll face strong competition, including his compatriot Amos Kipruto, who finished second to Kipchoge in last year’s Tokyo Marathon.

Eluid Kipchoge’s compatriots

The men’s field also includes 10 other runners with sub-2:06 personal bests, including Jonathan Maiyo, Eliud Kiptanui, Ronald Korir, Philemon Kiplimo, Enock Onchari, and Mark Korir from Kenya, as well as Tadu Abate, Andualem Shiferaw, and Haftu Teklu from Ethiopia, and Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghebreslassie.

Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia headlines the women’s race after setting the course record last year with a time of 2:15:37. She’ll face strong competition from athletes with sub-2:20 personal bests, including Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui, who has a PB of 2:17:29.

Assefa and her rivals, including Abayechew from Ethiopia, will be aiming for top performances in preparation for next year’s Paris Olympics. While a new world record isn’t the immediate goal, they all hope to deliver standout performances in Berlin.

Men
Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:01:09  
Amos Kipruto (KEN) 2:03:13
Jonathan Maiyo (KEN) 2:04:56
Eliud Kiptanui (KEN) 2:05:21
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie (ERI) 2:05:34
Ronald Korir (KEN) 2:05:37
Tadu Abate (ETH) 2:05:38
Philemon Kiplimo (KEN) 2:05:44
Enock Onchari (KEN) 2:05:47
Mark Korir (KEN) 2:05:49
Andualem Shiferaw (ETH) 2:05:52
Haftu Teklu (ETH) 2:05:53
Amanal Petros (GER) 2:06:27
Josphat Boit (KEN) 2:06:34
Tadesse Abraham (SUI) 2:06:38
Andamlak Belihu (ETH) 2:06:40
Okubay Tsegay (ERI) 2:06:46
Abel Kipchumba (KEN) 2:06:49
Yusuke Ogura (JPN) 2:06:51
Denis Chirchir (KEN) 2:07:17
Justus Kangogo (KEN) 2:07:40
Titus Kipkosgei (KEN) 2:07:46
Godadaw Belachew (ISR) 2:07:54
Dominic Nyairo (KEN) 2:08:13
John Hakizimana (RWA) 2:08:18
Guojian Dong (CHN) 2:08:28
Liam Adams (AUS) 2:08:39
Scott Fauble (USA) 2:08:52
Mehdi Frere (FRA) 2:08:55
Byambajav Tseveenravdan (MGL) 2:09:03
Jared Ward (USA) 2:09:25
Yimer Getahun (ISR) 2:09:27
Michael Somers (BEL) 2:09:31
Stephen Scullion (IRL) 2:09:49
Jianhua Peng (CHN) 2:09:57
Eulalio Munoz (ARG) 2:09:59
Jacob Riley (USA) 2:10:02
Tiidrek Nurme (EST) 2:10:02
Bohdan-Ivan Horodyskyi (UKR) 2:10:14
Bart van Nunen (NED) 2:10:16 33
Thomas De Bock (BEL) 2:10:17
Hendrik Pfeiffer (GER) 2:10:18
Yared Shegumo (POL) 2:10:34
Lemawork Ketema (AUT) 2:10:44
Samuel Fitwi (GER) 2:12:14
Konstantin Wedel (GER) 2:13:02
Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) Debut
Tadese Takele (ETH) Debut

Elite fields

Women
Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:15:37
Sheila Chepkirui (KEN) 2:17:29
Tigist Abayechew (ETH) 2:18:03
Workenesh Edesa (ETH) 2:18:51
Hiwot Gebrekidan (ETH) 2:19:10
Hitomi Niiya (JPN) 2:19:24
Zeineba Yimer (ETH) 2:19:28
Etagegne Woldu (ETH) 2:20:03
Gutemi Imana (ETH) 2:20:11
Delvine Meringor (ROU) 2:20:49
Yoshi Chekole (ETH) 2:21:17
Dera Dida (ETH) 2:21:11
Fikrte Wereta (ETH) 2:22:50
Charlotte Purdue (GBR) 2:23:26
Margaret Muriuki (KEN) 2:23:52
Senbere Teferi (ETH) 2:24:11
Malindi Elmore (CAN) 2:24:50
Deborah Schoneborn (GER) 2:25:52
Fabienne Schlumpf (SUI) 2:26:14
Annie Frisbie (USA) 2:26:18
Domenika Mayer (GER) 2:26:50
Rabea Schoneborn (GER) 2:27:03
Kristina Hendel (GER) 2:27:29
Laura Hottenrott (GER) 2:28:02
Yevheniya Prokofyeva (UKR) 2:28:06
Ursula Sanchez (MEX) 2:29:11
Angie Orjuela (COL) 2:29:12
Tabea Themann (GER) 2:31:54
Jana Soethout (GER) 2:34:28
Melina Wolf (GER) Debut