Guye Adola wins Berlin Marathon, Kenenisa 3rd
Oromia native Guye Adola won the 2021 Men’s Berlin Marathon for Ethiopia on Sunday. He finished the 42.195 kilometres (26.2 miles) race in two hours, five minutes and 45 seconds.
Kenya’s Bethwel Yegon took second, while Ethiopia’s multiple Olympic and world champion Kenenisa Bekele ended up in third place.
The 39-year old Kenenisa, who was infected with COVID-19 last year, started the Marathon at a record pace but fell back midway thru the race.
Both Kenenisa and the legendary Haile Gebreselassie had held the marathon world record in the past during their careers, but the current holder is Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge at 2:01:39
In the Women’s race, Ethiopia’s Gotytom Gebreselassie won the Berlin Marathon at a time of 2:20:09
Adola’s last marathon success was also at Berlin in 2017 where he finished second. For his 1st place victory today, he receives $20,000 Euro.
The next major Marathon is in New York City where Kenenisa is expected to participate. Winners at the NYC Marathon receive $100,000, with an extra $50,000 for a time of sub-2:05:30 (men) and sub-2:22:30 (women)
