The BMW Berlin Marathon is September 30. With Geoffrey Mutai and a very tough field, we could see some very fast marathoning. From the field that BMW Berlin has assembled, we could see some very tough competition for Mr. Mutai.
BERLIN (GER): Leading the elite field at the 39th edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon on September 30th is Geoffrey Mutai from Kenya, the man who ran the fastest marathon ever winning the Boston Marathon last year clocking 2:03:02. His challengers are Jonathan Maiyo (26) from Kenya who ran his PB in February placing 4th at the Dubai Marathon (2:04:56), Deresse Chimsa (35) from Ethiopia (2:05:42), and Nicholas Kamakya (27, Kenya, 2:06:34). There are two possible contenders to watch out for. Both are first timers on the marathon distance and both have won the Vattenfall Berlin Half Marathon. Geoffrey Kipsang won the race last year being just 19 years old and has improved his PR at the distance meanwhile to a world class level of 59:26. Dennis Kimetto (28) won it last April (59:14) and several weeks later clocked a world record for 25 kilometers (1:11:18). The women´s field will probably be dominated by runners from Ethiopia and Kenya. Aberu Kebede (23) knows the course well enough after winning this race in 2010 in pouring rain. Meanwhile she has improved her PB to 2:20:33 and could try to get under 2:20 hrs this time. Her toughest contenders are Alemitu Abera (26, Ethiopia, 2:23:14), Philes Ongori (26, Kenya, 2:24:20) and Flomena Chepchirchir (30, Kenya, 2:24:21). German newcomer Anna Hahner (22) has clocked 2:30:14 in her marathon debut in April and wants to go under 2:30 if the conditions are favourable. From the organizers.