Paul Kosgei sets 25km World record in Berlin (© Live-Sportphotos.com)
One of the classic German road races will have its jubilee edition this Sunday 8 May. The Run Berlin, formerly known as the ‘25 km von Berlin’, will take place for the 25th time.
The 25km race, which will start in front of the Olympic Stadium and will end inside the newly rebuilt arena, is still the main event of the day. Approximately 6200 athletes will run the race through Berlin’s city centre. Adding other attractions like a 10k race, an event for inline skaters plus kids’ races, organisers of the Berlin athletic federation expect about 10,000 participants from 45 countries will take part on Sunday. This is an increase of about 25 percent in comparison to last year.
In 2004 the event saw the best ever 25km race with Kenyan Paul Kosgei smashing out a World record clocking of 1:12:45. Four more Kenyans finished inside the old mark of 1:13:44, run by Rodgers Rop (Kenya) in Berlin in 2001.
“You cannot expect something like this to happen every year, but we hope for another fast race,” commented Christoph Kopp, who is the elite race manager.
While Paul Kosgei will not compete again this year due to his current lack of form last year’s number two is back. Luke Kibet ran 1:12:52 in 2004. James Kwambei, who has run a 60:42 half marathon this year, as well as Joseph Riri could be Kibet’s strongest rivals on Sunday. Riri finished fifth last year and then went on to clock 2:06:49 for a second place in last year’s Berlin Marathon.
In the women’s race probably Rose Cheruiyot is the favourite. The Kenyan won the Berlin Half Marathon in 2002 in 69:32. Last year’s winner Christine Chepkonga (Kenya) has had to withdraw due to injury.
Jörg Wenig for the IAAF
