Berlin Marathon Results: Tigst Assefa Misses World Record After Cramps, Guye Adola Wins Men’s Race

September 27, 2026 Lucas Fernandez – World Editor World

At the Berlin Marathon on Sunday, Ethiopian runners Tigst Assefa and Guye Adola secured major victories in the elite fields. Assefa captured her third Berlin title with a course-record time of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 4 seconds despite battling late cramps, while compatriot Adola won the men’s race in 2:02:50.

Tigst Assefa Misses World Record Due to Late Cramps

Tigst Assefa entered Sunday’s race aiming to reclaim the world record she previously set in the German capital. The 29-year-old was on pace to challenge Ruth Chepng’etich’s world mark of 2:09:56 set in Chicago in 2024. However, Assefa pulled up with severe cramps just before reaching the Brandenburg Gate.

Despite limping across the finish line and slumping to the ground in tears, Assefa still recorded the third-fastest women’s time in history. She claimed her third Berlin Marathon victory following previous wins in 2022 and 2023, establishing a new course record of 2:11:04.

Bedatu Hirpa finished in second place nearly six minutes behind Assefa, clocking a time of 2:16:53, while fellow Ethiopian Dera Dida took third place with a time of 2:16:55.

Guye Adola Claims Second Men’s Victory in Berlin

In the elite men’s division, 35-year-old Guye Adola of Ethiopia crossed the finish line in an unofficial time of 2:02:50. This performance marked Adola’s second career victory in the German capital, following his initial win in 2021.

Berlin Marathon Results: Tigst Assefa Misses World Record After Cramps, Guye Adola Wins Men's Race
Photo: sports.yahoo.com

Gemechu Dida Diriba, also representing Ethiopia, finished second with a time of 2:03:19, lagging 28 seconds behind the winner. Gabriel Gerald Geay of Tanzania rounded out the podium in third place, finishing with a time of 2:03:59.

World record holder Sabastian Sawe missed the competition due to an injury but attended the event as a guest of honor. Organizers moved start times forward on Sunday to counter the high temperatures experienced during the previous year’s marathon, resulting in nearly perfect autumn weather conditions featuring sunshine and minimal wind.

Official Elite Race Results

The elite fields completed the course under favorable weather conditions, producing strong times across both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Elite Women’s Results

  • 1. Tigst Assefa (ETH) – 02:11:04
  • 2. Bedatu Hirpa (ETH) – 2:16:53
  • 3. Dera Dida (ETH) – 2:16:55
  • 4. Bekelech Gudeta (ETH) – 2:18:58
  • 5. Alemitu Tariku (ETH) – 2:19:01
  • 6. Pascaline Jelagat (KEN) – 2:20:23
  • 7. Misgane Alemayehu (ETH) – 2:20:27
  • 8. Ludwina Chepngetich (KEN) – 2:21:25
  • 9. Evaline Chirchir (KEN) – 2:21:32
  • 10. Aminet Ahmed (ETH) – 2:21:45

Elite Men’s Results

  • 1. Guye Adola (ETH) – 2:02:50
  • 2. Gemechu Dida Diriba (ETH) – 2:03:19
  • 3. Gabriel Gerald Geay (TAN) – 2:03:59
  • 4. Getaneh Molla (ETH) – 2:04:55
  • 5. Selemon Barega (ETH) – 2:04:58
  • 6. Asefa Boki (ETH) – 2:05:32
  • 7. Andamlak Belihu (ETH) – 2:05:55
  • 8. Shura Kitata (ETH) – 2:06:04
  • 9. Yuhei Urano (JPN) – 2:06:09
  • 10. Tadu Abate (ETH) – 2:07:16
Berlin Marathon Winners 2026 🏆 | Guye Adola & Tigst Assefa Win | BMW Berlin Marathon Results

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