FLASH: Eliud Kipchoge wins dramatic race in Berlin with world leading time

Eliud Kipchoge confirmed his position as the world's strongest marathon runner by taking a dramatic win in the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON.

The Kenyan clocked a world leading time of 2:03:32, but in difficult weather conditions with rain and high humidity the world record set by Kenya's Dennis Kimetto in Berlin in 2014 with 2:02:57 was out of reach in the final part of the race.

FLASH: While top stars Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia and Kenya's Wilson Kipsang did not manage to finish, a debutant caused a major surprise: Guye Adola of Ethiopia was leading the race until close to the 40 k mark, when Olympic Champion Kipchoge came from behind and then surged ahead.

Adola clocked 2:03:46 for second place, which is the fastest debut ever recorded on a record eligible course. Fellow-Ethiopian Mosinet Geremew took third place in 2:06:12.

For the second time after 2015 Gladys Cherono took Germany's most spectacular running event. The Kenyan clocked a world-class time of 2:20:23 after suffering in the final stages. Ruti Aga of Ethiopia was second in 2:20:41, while Kenya's Valary Aiyabei took third with 2:20:53.

A record number of 43,852 runners from 137 countries entered the 44th edition of the race, which belongs to the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series and is an IAAF Gold Label Road Race.

Source: SCC events