Ethiopian athletes once again asserted their dominance in long-distance running at the 2024 Berlin Marathon, with Milkesa Mengesha winning the men’s race and Tigist Ketema claiming an impressive victory in the women’s race. Both performances underscored Ethiopia’s unmatched talent on the global marathon stage.
Mengesha Triumphs in Men’s Race
Milkesa Mengesha, 24, set a personal best time of 2:03:17 to clinch victory in the men’s race, defeating Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut in a dramatic final stretch. Mengesha’s finishing kick in the last kilometer proved decisive, as he surged ahead of Kotut, who finished five seconds behind with a time of 2:03:22. Fellow Ethiopian Haymanot Alew completed the podium, securing third place in 2:03:29.
Reflecting on his win, Mengesha acknowledged the challenging year he had leading up to the race. “I had been training very hard for this course. I knew it is very flat, and I could run very fast times,” he said, speaking with the help of a translator. “But I was at the London Marathon prior to this, and I had to stop after 38 kilometers because of some issues. I was very worried about that.”
Mengesha’s victory comes as a standout achievement in a highly competitive field, with Ethiopia’s Tadese Takele, the pre-race favorite, finishing in seventh. With Eliud Kipchoge absent this year, it was an opportunity for rising stars like Mengesha to make their mark.
Tigist Ketema’s Commanding Solo Victory in Women’s Race
In the women’s race, Tigist Ketema delivered a commanding performance, leading from the front and effectively running solo for much of the marathon. Ketema was briefly tracked by compatriot Azmera Gebru during the early kilometers, but by the halfway point, Ketema’s relentless pace had built a 12-second lead as she passed the 21km mark in 67:53.
Ketema, who previously set a stunning debut marathon time of 2:16:07, continued to stretch her advantage, opening up an almost unassailable lead. Running unchallenged for the rest of the race, Ketema crossed the finish line in 2:16:42, the third-fastest winning time in the history of the Berlin Marathon.
“I’m very grateful to be in Berlin. I am very happy, and with the help of God, I was able to win this race,” said the 26-year-old Ketema. While her time was five minutes slower than Tigst Assefa’s world record of 2:11:53 set last year, it still reaffirmed Ketema’s place among the world’s top marathoners.
The women’s race also saw an Ethiopian podium sweep. Mestawot Fikir finished in second place with a time of 2:18:48, while Bosena Mulatie took third, crossing the line in 2:19:00. Both runners also delivered outstanding performances, further highlighting Ethiopia’s dominance in women’s long-distance running.
Ethiopia’s Continued Dominance
With Milkesa Mengesha and Tigist Ketema leading the charge, the 2024 Berlin Marathon reaffirmed Ethiopia’s strength in marathon running. Both men’s and women’s fields were filled with top Ethiopian talent, and the country’s athletes rose to the occasion, securing top positions and setting fast times.
While the absence of some big names, including five-time Berlin champion Eliud Kipchoge, was notable, the Ethiopian runners took full advantage of the opportunity. The all-Ethiopian podium in the women’s race and the impressive performances from Mengesha and Alew in the men’s race made it a banner day for Ethiopian distance running.
With Berlin’s flat course once again producing some of the fastest marathon times in the world, Ethiopia’s athletes have proven, yet again, that they are a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
