Berlin Marathon: Tigst Assefa wins in 2:11:04, setting the 3rd fastest time in history

Ethiopian Tigst Assefa won the Berlin women's marathon on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in 2:11:04, the third-fastest time in history over the distance, according to NBC Sports. Setting out to challenge the world record, she missed the global mark but crushed the competition.

Five minutes ahead of the runner-up

According to Yahoo Sports, Assefa secured a third title in Berlin following her victories in 2022 and 2023 on the same course, finishing more than five minutes ahead of her compatriots Bedatu Hirpa (2:16:53) and Dera Dida (2:16:55). A gap of this magnitude in a major marathon speaks to the form of an athlete who ranks among the fastest the sport has ever known.

The top ten spots for East Africa

The rankings published by NBC Sports tell a story of collective dominance: Bekelech Gudeta finished fourth in 2:18:58, Alemitu Tariku fifth in 2:19:01, Kenyan Pascaline Jelagat sixth in 2:20:23, Ethiopian Misgane Alemayehu seventh in 2:20:27, followed by Kenyans Ludwina Chepngetich (2:21:25) and Evaline Chirchir (2:21:32), before Ethiopian Aminet Ahmed (2:21:45).

That makes seven Ethiopians and three Kenyans in the top ten: in one of the most popular races on the planet, no other nation managed to break into the women's top 10. The marathon remains a terrain where athletes from the continent do not just win; they occupy the entire space.

In the men's race, the day also smiled upon Ethiopia with the victory of Guye Adola ahead of Tanzanian Gabriel Geay, who finished third, reports NBC Sports.

The world record remains, still held by an African, Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich. Assefa came close to it without breaking it. At 2:11:04, she suggests, however, that the next great milestone in the women's marathon will be contested, once again, between Ethiopian and Kenyan athletes.