ADDIS ABABA – Former Olympic and world champion Kenenisa Bekele staged a thrilling comeback to win the Berlin marathon on Sunday, dramatically missing out on the world record by two seconds after recording the second fastest time ever.
For the Ethiopian marathoners this was a sweeping victory taking from one up to three places in a row. Birhanu took second place in 2:02:48, becoming the third fastest marathon runner ever. Sisay was third, another 48 seconds behind.
In the women’s race Ethiopian Ashete Bekere beat Mare Dibaba in a sprint to the finish to win with a time of 2:20:14 and complete the Ethiopian sweep.
Ashete won a sprint against compatriot Mare Dibaba to clinch the women’s marathon in 2:20:14, a personal best. Mare finished seven seconds behind. Kenya’s Selly Chepyego Kaptich was third in 2:21:06, and Ethiopia’s Helen Tola finished fourth in 2:21:36. The four had shared the lead for a long time.
Kenenisa, winner in Berlin in 2016 and world record holder over 5,000 and 10,000 meters, finished in two hours, one minute and 41 seconds, agonizingly close to Eliud Kipchoge’s world record time despite a full sprint in the final 400 meters.
Kipchoge, who set the world’s best mark in Berlin last year, was absent to prepare for his renewed sub-two hour marathon attempt in Vienna on Oct. 12.
“I felt a little pain in the beginning so I dropped behind,” Kenenisa said to reporters at the end. “After a few kilometers I started relaxing so I tried to push a little bit.
“I am very sorry. I am not lucky. I am very happy running my personal best. But I still can do this (world record). I don’t give up. It is encouraging for the future.”
Kenenisa was part of a group, including fellow countrymen Birhanu Legese and Sisay Lemma, that quickly broke from the pack with a quick pace.
Birhanu, winner of this year’s Tokyo marathon, then gradually shook off Kenenisa and then Sisay after the 30km mark.
But Kenenisa battled back, leaving Sisay in his wake and then reined in Birhanu to cruise ahead but missed the world record time by two seconds despite a thrilling sprint toward the finish line.
“I was recovering (from injury) only three months ago. My preparation was not 100%. Fantastic result but I feel sorry missing marathon record by two seconds,” Kenenisa said.
Kenenisa had knee and hamstring injuries in recent years and hadn’t completed a marathon since April last year, leading many to believe his best days were over. His world records over 5,000m and 10,000m are from 2004 and 2005, respectively. “I have shown that my career is far from over,” Kenenisa said.
The Ethiopian Herald October 1, 2019
BY SOLOMON BEKELE
