Today, Sunday, September 29, 2024, will be etched in the memories of Ethiopian athletes and sports enthusiasts worldwide as Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema led a spectacular sweep of the Berlin Marathon.
Mengesha’s blistering pace secured the men’s title with a personal best time of 2 hours, 3 minutes, leaving the crowd in awe. His compatriot, Haymanot Alew, narrowly missed second place, demonstrating Ethiopia’s depth in athletic talent.
In the women’s category, Tigist Ketema’s dominance was unmistakable, crossing the finish line in 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 42 seconds. Mestawut Fikir and Bosena Mulatie completed the Ethiopian podium sweep, claiming second and third places, respectively.
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This year’s Berlin Marathon saw a record-shattering 58,000 participants from 161 nations, a testament to the event’s global appeal. Notably, it marked the first edition without legendary athletes Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya and Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia, who had been fixtures since 2014.
Ethiopia’s impressive performance underscores the country’s rich athletic heritage, nurtured through generations of talented runners. Mengesha and Ketema’s victories serve as inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide.
As the running community celebrates Ethiopian excellence, attention turns to the next major marathon event, eager to witness the continued rise of these athletic superstars.
The Berlin Marathon’s legacy as a premier international sporting event continues to grow, uniting athletes and fans from diverse backgrounds in their passion for human achievement.
