Kipchoge to duel with Adola in Berlin

With the double Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) and the winner of the BMW Berlin-Marathon 2021 Guye Adola (ETH), two of the best runners in the world will compete against each other at this year’s BMW Berlin-Marathon. The Kenyan Kipchoge and the Ethiopian Adola fought an impressive duel in 2017 when Adola brought Kipchoge to the brink of defeat. The pictures of the gripping finale at the Brandenburg Gate went around the globe and thrilled the sports community.

This year a similarly exciting race is expected. With the words, “Berlin is the fastest course – here runners can prove their potential and push the limits,” Kipchoge clearly appreciates the Berlin course and what is possible on it. After all, the Kenyan has already won three times on the River Spree and set the current marathon world record here in 2018 with 2:01:39 hours. The 37-year-old proved that he is in good shape at the Tokyo Marathon in the spring, which he won with a new course record in 2:02:40.

Adola also knows about the advantages of the Berlin course and formulates a clear target for himself: “I am very happy to be back at the BMW Berlin-Marathon to defend my title from last year. I always have a good feeling about the BMW Berlin-Marathon because it was my debut marathon, and that time is still my personal best. This year I will try to achieve a time under 2:03.”

The race director of the BMW Berlin-Marathon Mark Milde is pleased about the fact that he can welcome the two unique top-class runners Kipchoge and Adola to the starting line. “We are very happy to see these exceptional athletes running at the BMW Berlin-Marathon. Such a duel is always great advertising for running in general. Berliners will be cheering on all participants, whether they are double Olympic champions or marathon novices.”