Tigst Assefa headlines star-studded Berlin Marathon as Rosemary Wanjiru eyes breakthrough
By Joel Masibo, September 22, 2026
Ethiopian distance-running star Tigst Assefa will headline a star-studded field at the 2026 Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as she targets a third victory in as many appearances at the prestigious race.
The Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallist returns to the German capital after previously winning the marathon in 2022 and 2023. She will also be chasing another world record after producing a landmark performance at the London Marathon earlier this year.
Assefa’s record in London
Assefa clocked 2:15:41 in London, setting the fastest time ever recorded in a women’s-only marathon. She also holds the Berlin course record of 2:11:53, set in 2023, but will now have a significantly faster mark in her sights.
The Ethiopian will be attempting to surpass Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:53 world record, set at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
”I am excited to once again try to break the world record,” Assefa said ahead of her return to Berlin.
However, Assefa will face a strong challenge, with Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru among the leading contenders in the women’s race. Wanjiru is the defending champion and previously finished behind Assefa at the 2022 edition.
Bedatu Hirpa of Ethiopia and Germany’s Esther Pfeiffer are also part of the elite women’s field.
Men’s race
The men’s race will feature Tanzania’s Gabriel Geay, who is seeking the biggest victory of his career after finishing second at the 2023 Boston Marathon.
Geay, who owns a personal best of 2:03:00, will come up against Guye Adola, the 2021 Berlin champion. Adola has already shown impressive form this year, winning the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:03:54.
The men’s elite field also includes Getaneh Molla and Shura Kitata, both of whom have personal bests under 2:04, while Germany’s Sebastian Hendel will lead the home challenge.
The Berlin Marathon is the fifth of seven Marathon Majors on the 2026 calendar and is expected to attract significant attention given the strength of the elite fields and the possibility of a world-record attempt by Assefa.
The elite races will begin at 8:45am local time in Berlin on Sunday. In Germany, the race will be broadcast on RTL, while viewers in the United States can watch via FloTrack.
The event comes as Assefa looks to strengthen her standing among the world’s leading marathon runners, while Geay will be hoping to convert his impressive performances on the global stage into a major marathon victory.