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Why Kenenisa Bekele is the Runner to Watch in Berlin Right Now

At 44, running legend Kenenisa Bekele is making a highly anticipated return to the Berlin Marathon. With top favorite Sabastian Sawe out, the Ethiopian icon unexpectedly headlines the field.

WhyThisBuzz DeskSep 19, 20262 min read
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The Berlin Marathon is always a spectacle of speed, but this year's race on September 27 is shaping up to be an absolute must-watch. Ethiopian running legend Kenenisa Bekele is officially returning to the streets of the German capital. At 44 years old, the track and road icon is ready to prove he can still compete with the world's best.

The Return of a Legend

Bekele is widely considered one of the greatest long-distance runners of all time. Having held the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter world records for nearly 15 years, his transition to the marathon cemented his legendary status.

Berlin holds a special place in Bekele's career. He has won the prestigious race twice, coming agonizingly close to world records both times:

  • 2016: He won in a blistering 2:03:03.
  • 2019: He clocked 2:01:41, missing the world record by just two seconds.

Had he found those extra two seconds in 2019, he would have achieved the unprecedented feat of holding the world records in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and the marathon simultaneously.

Why the Field Just Opened Up

Bekele’s road back to Berlin has not been easy. He withdrew from last year's event due to fitness issues and struggled at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he finished 39th. This race marks his first major competitive appearance of the year.

However, the dynamics of the race shifted dramatically with the injury-forced withdrawal of Kenyan star Sabastian Sawe. With Sawe out of the running, Bekele unexpectedly becomes the fastest athlete on the Berlin start list. While a victory at age 44 is a massive ask, Bekele's Masters world record of 2:04:15 (set at age 41 in London) proves that he can never be counted out.

Late Additions Shake Up the Women's Field

The excitement in Berlin is not limited to the men's division. The women's elite lineup has received two major late-entry boosts:

  • Alisa Vainio (Finland): The reigning European Champion is in red-hot form. She dominated the European Championships in Birmingham with a record time of 2:22:26 and is currently the fastest Scandinavian female marathoner in history (personal best of 2:20:39).
  • Laura Hottenrott (Germany): Hottenrott leads the local German charge. Boasting a personal best of 2:24:32, she enters the race as the fastest German woman on the start list.

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