Ethiopia's Assefa smashes women's marathon world record in Berlin
The 29-year-old Assefa bettered the record of 2:14:04 set by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in 2019.
Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa celebrates after smashing the women's marathon world record by crossing the finish line to win the women's race of the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
_______________
Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa smashed the women's marathon world record by more than two minutes in Berlin on Sunday as Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge won the men's race for a record fifth time.
Winner of the women's race Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa (L) and winner of the men's race Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge celebrate on the podium after the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin Ethiopia's Tigist Assefa celebrates on the podium after winning the women's race of the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. Assefa smashed the women's marathon world record in Berlin
Assefa clocked 2hr 11min 53sec, more than two minutes ahead of the previous world mark of 2:14:04 set by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in 2019.
The 29-year-old Assefa bettered the record of 2:14:04 set by Kenyan Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in 2019.
Assefa crossed the line just after Kenyan men's world record holder Eliud Kipchoge won a record-fifth Berlin marathon.
She finished almost six minutes ahead of Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui (+5:56), while Tanzanian Magdalena Shauri finished third (+6:48).
Assefa broke away early in perfect conditions in the German capital and continued her stunning time to become the first woman to set the world record in Berlin since Japan's Naoko Takahashi in 2001.
"I wanted to break the marathon world record, but I couldn't imagine that it would result in a time under 2:12," said the 29-year-old.
"I am very happy"
She finished almost six minutes ahead of Kenyan Sheila Chepkirui, while Tanzanian Magdalena Shauri finished third, nearly seven minutes behind Assefa.
Assefa broke away early in perfect conditions in the German capital and continued her stunning time to become the first woman to set the world record in Berlin since Japan's Naoko Takahashi in 2001.
She crossed the line just after men's world record holder Kipchoge won his race in 2hr 02min 42sec.