The AIMS races on next weekend – Berlin Runs 25km is held in the German capital on 4 May

The re-vamped Berlin Runs 25km is held in the German capital on 4 May, finishing inside the Olympic Stadium. Otherwise, it is all marathons: in Europe the Cracovia Marathon in Poland and the 9th edition of the Maratona D'Europa in Trieste (ITA); and in North America the New Jersey Marathon, the Eugene Marathon and the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon.

In Berlin Kenya’s Patrick Ivuti will be among the favourites. He placed 4th in the Sydney Olympic 10,000m and twice finished as runner-up in the World Cross Country. His marathon best is 2:07:46 and he clocked 59:27 for the half marathon in 2007, but has recently suffered a bout of malaria. In the women’s race Peninah Arusei will be up against defending champion Flomena Chepchirchir. Arusei won in 2005 and 2006 but finished second, 39 seconds behind Chepchirchir last year.

Her win in the Berlin Half Marathon, in a brisk 68:22, will have boosted her confidence to attack the course record (1:24:29). Organisers expect a combined total of well over 7,000 participants in all events.

Source: www.aims.org